Why National Character Areas are Important for Biodiversity Net Gain

National Character Areas (NCAs) are natural subdivisions of England based on a combination of landscape, biodiversity, geodiversity, and economic activity. They play a crucial role in the context of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), an initiative that requires every new development in England to have a measurable increase in biodiversity. In this blog, we will explore the importance of NCAs within the context of BNG, focusing on their definition, examples, and the benefits of BNG.

Definition of National Character Areas

NCAs are areas that share similar landscape characteristics and follow natural lines in the landscape rather than administrative boundaries, making them a good decision-making framework for the natural environment. There are 159 National Character Areas in England, and their profiles serve as guidance documents that help communities make informed decisions about the places they live in.

Examples of National Character Areas

Some examples of NCAs include the North Northumberland Coastal Plain, Northumberland Sandstone Hills, and the North Pennines. These areas are defined by their unique combination of landscape features, biodiversity, geodiversity, history, and cultural and economic activity.

Biodiversity Net Gain and the Spatial Multiplier

The Spatial Risk Multiplier is a calculator used to determine the cost of each BNG unit when offsite BNG units are sourced from outside the Local Planning Authority (LPA) where the development work is taking place. However, the Spatial Multiplier for BNG does not apply when the offsite BNG unit site (the habitat bank) and the development site sit within the same National Character Area. This encourages developers to source offsite BNG units within the same NCA, promoting local conservation and restoration efforts.

Benefits of Biodiversity Net Gain

BNG aims to ensure that all new developments contribute to conserving and enhancing the natural environment, whether at the original site or elsewhere. This approach can lead to several benefits, including:

Improved habitat for wildlife: BNG ensures that the habitat for wildlife is in a better state than it was before development, contributing to the recovery of nature.

Enhanced human health and wellbeing: BNG can improve human health and wellbeing by creating new green spaces, improving existing spaces, and bringing nature closer to people.

Support for local communities: BNG can benefit local communities by providing high-quality natural surroundings within the development footprint or through biodiversity offsets that increase people's access to nature

Contribution to climate change mitigation and adaptation: Restoring biodiversity can help mitigate climate change and adapt to its inevitable impacts, such as flooding and extreme weather events.

By integrating NCAs into the planning and implementation of BNG, developers and landowners can ensure that new developments contribute positively to the natural environment and local communities. This approach can help achieve a balance between economic growth and environmental conservation, ultimately leading to more sustainable and resilient landscapes.

In conclusion, National Character Areas play a vital role in the context of Biodiversity Net Gain. By considering NCAs in the planning and implementation of new developments, we can ensure that our landscapes remain diverse, healthy, and resilient, benefiting both wildlife and human communities.

BNG: Key Risks for Developers

This short blog will highlight the key risks associated with Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for developers. BNG has become a mandatory consideration for all development projects in England, acting as a planning condition and policy requirement of planning consent. It requires developers to improve biodiversity as part of their pre-development plans, and failure to comply can have significant consequences.

The key risks to be aware of are as follows:

Availability of Offsite Units: Developers may face challenges in sourcing suitable offsite units to meet BNG requirements. The availability of these units can vary, and if a shortfall remains after exploring onsite and local offsite options, developers may need to purchase statutory biodiversity credits from the government as a last resort (see table below.)

Temporal Risk: Timely implementation of BNG is crucial. Developers must ensure they are prepared to meet the obligations within the specified timeframe. Failure to comply with BNG requirements can result in delays or potential penalties.

Spatial Multiplier: The spatial multiplier, which accounts for the spatial distribution of biodiversity gains, needs to be accurately considered when calculating the number of units required to achieve BNG. Failure to do so can lead to underestimating or overestimating the number of units needed, potentially resulting in non-compliance.

Government's Statutory BNG Credit Pricing: The government has introduced price tiers for statutory biodiversity credits, which developers can purchase to meet BNG requirements. Understanding the pricing structure is essential for developers to factor it into their financial planning.

See extract pricing table from the Government's statutory biodiversity credit prices

N.B: If you buy statutory biodiversity credits, a ‘spatial risk multiplier’ will apply, which doubles the amount of credits you need. You must buy 2 credits for every 1 biodiversity unit you need to compensate for. The statutory biodiversity metric will automatically calculate this multiplication for you.

Habitat distinctiveness	Broad habitat type	Specific habitat type	Price per credit	​Spatial risk multiplier
​Medium	Heathland and shrub	All	£42,000	£84,000
Medium	Grassland	All	£42,000	£84,000
Medium	Individual trees	All	£42,000	£84,000

Proper preparation and strategic planning can help mitigate these risks. At Habitat Vault, we specialise in BNG and can assist you in navigating the complexities of BNG implementation, ensuring compliance, and minimising potential risks.

Biodiversity Net Gain Update: August 2023

What You Need to Know

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an important issue that has been gaining traction in the UK. The government has recently finalised its BNG policy, which will become law in November 2023. Here's what you need to know about the latest developments in BNG:

Digital Service

The government is preparing to introduce a new BNG digital service to help developers and local authorities implement BNG more effectively. The digital service will provide a platform for developers to submit BNG gain plans and for local authorities to review and approve them. The service is expected to launch in November 2023, alongside the new BNG policy

Monitoring and Management

The government has emphasised the importance of monitoring and management of BNG sites to ensure the long-term sustainability of biodiversity enhancements. The government is working on developing guidance on monitoring and management, which will be published in due course

Collaboration

Collaboration between developers, local authorities, and other stakeholders is crucial for the successful implementation of BNG. The government has highlighted the role of local authorities in implementing BNG and the importance of collaboration between developers, local authorities, and other stakeholders

What BNG is and Who it Affects

BNG is a way to contribute to the recovery of nature while developing land. It is making sure the habitat for wildlife is in a better state than it was before development

BNG will apply to land managers, developers, and local planning authorities (LPAs)

LPAs will have to approve a biodiversity net gain plan for developments in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, unless exempt

Overall, BNG is an important issue that requires careful management and collaboration between developers, local authorities, and other stakeholders to ensure the long-term sustainability of biodiversity enhancements. The latest developments in BNG include webinars, a new digital service, and guidance on monitoring and management. It is important for developers and local authorities to stay up-to-date with the latest information and guidance on BNG to ensure its successful implementation.