Every planning application that has triggered BNG requires to submit necessary documents such as a Statutory Metric, and a gain plan for the site, and an HMMP for on-site habitats. These documents have been monitored for submission, accuracy and completeness. The submitted documents have been entered onto Exacom. Exacom is a database to record various aspects of the development BNG uplift and assist with monitoring of the post development habitat plan. A Statutory Report of BNG in Stevenage from April 2024 to end of December 2025 is required from all planning authorities. The report for Stevenage has been created and submitted to Natural England.
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is now a mandatory framework in the UK under the Environment Act 2021, requiring developments to enhance biodiversity. Developers must demonstrate that their projects deliver at least a 10% net gain in biodiversity compared to the pre-development baseline. The goal is to leave the natural environment and its biodiversity in a better state than before.
BNG applies now to all categories of development for which planning permission is required (excluding exemptions set out in secondary legislation) and includes a framework for assessing impacts to biodiversity using a biodiversity accounting system, the DEFRA Biodiversity Metric.
Biodiversity and climate change are closely linked, and BNG plays a vital role in mitigating climate change through carbon sequestration by restored ecosystems, ability to adapt and recover from extreme weather events enhancing climate resilience, provision of key ecosystem services such as pollination, water purification, soil stability, cooling urban areas reducing the heat island effect and lowering energy demand.
To ensure effective implementation and monitoring of BNG, the Council is working in the following actions: