The University supports the policy intention to control the biodiversity impacts from development, including the principle of biodiversity net gain.

As far as our Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) is concerned our Vision is to 'Deliver a significant and measurable improvement in the biodiversity of the University of Cambridge estate, and the Greater Cambridge Area more generally, in a manner that educates and inspires an appreciation of the natural environment, and that encourages interventions, research and innovation to enhance and protect biodiversity for future generations.'

The Environment Act 2021 will require a mandatory 10% minimum biodiversity net gain across the country. We note that at an Oxford-Cambridge Arc level, the local authorities have agreed a set of Arc Environmental Principles that include the aims of doubling the area of land managed primarily for nature, and to deliver a minimum 20% biodiversity net gain on development sites. These ambitions, together with the relatively low level of designated sites and priority habitats in Greater Cambridge, form the Councils’ justification for development to bring further net gains beyond the 10% proposed nationally. Any target will have financial and operational implications, however, which should also be considered as part of the evidence base. We therefore consider it would be appropriate for the local authorities to assess the impact of a 20% net gain target (or indeed any other target that would exceed the national 10%) on the viability of development to meet the objectively assessed needs for jobs and homes for the plan period.