Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
Representation ID: 58466
Received: 13/12/2021
Respondent: Hill Residential Ltd and Chivers Farms (Hardington) LLP
Agent: Barton Willmore
The proposed requirement for 20% biodiversity net gain compares with the recently passed Environment Act 2021 which requires 10% BNG. Whilst we support the concept of creating BNG on development sites, it is important that viability is carefully considered. We are concerned that off-site mitigation is likely to be required to achieve 20% BNG on many sites, resulting in considerably higher costs for developers. This could negatively impact on the viability and deliverability of sites. In addition, in some cases there would be an impact on land-take, reducing the developable area of the site and potentially the quantum of development.
The proposed requirement for 20% biodiversity net gain compares with the recently passed Environment Act 2021 which requires 10% BNG. Whilst we support the concept of creating BNG on development sites, it is important that viability is carefully considered. We are concerned that off-site mitigation is likely to be required to achieve 20% BNG on many sites, resulting in considerably higher costs for developers. This could negatively impact on the viability and deliverability of sites. In addition, in some cases there would be an impact on land-take, reducing the developable area of the site and potentially the quantum of development.