USS notes the ambitious target of a minimum of 20% biodiversity net gain for development. As set out in previous representations to the Cambridge Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document and Biodiversity Strategy, USS is supportive of ambitious targets for biodiversity but notes that this is double the target that was identified in the recently consulted on Cambridge Biodiversity SPD and also the emerging national target which is set by Government.

Any biodiversity net gain requirements should be proportionate to the potential of specific sites. For
example, sites that are in a highly sustainable brownfield location which might have limited potential for increasing biodiversity. If the Local Plan policy is too prescriptive on this issue it may restrict the ability of brownfield sites to provide housing or employment uses in highly sustainable locations.