Policy BG/BG: Biodiversity and Geodiversity

7.0 POLICY BG/BG: BIODIVERSITY AND GEODIVERSITY

7.1 The text supporting emerging policy BG/BG states the proposed policy will ‘require development to achieve a minimum 20% biodiversity net gain’. This figure is considerably above the minimum 10% biodiversity net gain noted within the Environment Bill 2021.

7.2 Martin Grant Homes support the principle of biodiversity net gain and have successfully implemented them within modern development. However, the minimum proposed figure of 20% is not considered appropriate. To make 20% net gain achievable, there will be considerable pressure on sites financially and spatially to ensure this ambitious target is met.

7.3 The result of this will be sites will become unviable and as such, would likely sacrifice other aspects of development such as affordable housing. Spatially, an increased net gain requirement will likely drive-up densities given the likely land take need for biodiversity purposes. Topic Paper 3 suggests an alternative to the policy. It references a mandatory 10% net gain, but does not consider this appropriate. However, the Topic Paper does not include any assessment of financial or spatial impacts.

7.4 It is therefore considered appropriate to amend the proposed policy direction to a minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain. A higher figure could be encouraged but not form part of the policy requirement.