Now the requirement for BNG has become mandatory we are likely to see a high demand for BNG advice across all development sectors.
Savills can help with many aspects of BNG for developer clients, for example:
- It will be important that the ecological baseline of any development site is accurately recorded so that the proposed uplift can be calculated. We work with a wide range of ecological consultants who can help to assess the ecological baseline.
- Applicants will need to think carefully about how they meet their BNG requirement and whether this can be met on-site , off-site or through the statutory credit system. Thought will need to be given early in the design process about whether there are any significant ecological opportunities and constraints that should be factored into the design. Where BNG requirement cannot be met on-site, Savills can help to identify offsetting sites in the process.
- BNG means that most new developments will have to provide a Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment with their planning application detailing how the 10% uplift (or greater where local policy states) will be delivered. The Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment will also show how the mitigation hierarchy has been followed for the development site. As with other documents required for a planning application, Savills can help to prepare and collate these documents in conjunction with technical consultants.
- Planning conditions , Section 106 Agreements and Conservation Covenants will all be used to ensure that the BNG is implemented as part of any development. Our Planning and Development teams will work with legal advisers in order to ensure that fair and robust agreements are prepared.