It’s an important day for biodiversity

From today all new major developments in England must deliver a minimum 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG); smaller sites will need to provide BNG from 2 April.

This is a positive step forward. It presents an opportunity for developers to be innovative in creating local habitat for wildlife – especially with urban developments where space is limited. Instead of just delivering biodiversity net gain off-site or through buying biodiversity credits, developers can explore creative ways to build on-site habitat into their plans such as vertical planting wrapping plant enclosures, a combined bio-solar application or even provision of messy planting spaces.

Where developers must deliver biodiversity units off-site it will be great to see this done working with local communities, to contribute to improved wellbeing for all and the quality of accessible green space.

For more details on what BNG means for developments, check out the guidance from Natural England.

If you would like to discuss creative ways to ensure your projects deliver Biodiversity Net Gain, say hello@verteltd.com – we’d love to hear from you.