Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
Biodiversity Net Gain is an approach to development that leaves biodiversity in a measurably better state after development than before, after first avoiding and minimising harm.
From 12 February 2024 all major developments in England will have to deliver 10% BNG and from 2 April 2024 all developments (except for some exceptions, such as householder applications) will have to deliver 10% BNG. This requirement does not replace, but is in addition to, the existing policy and legal requirements related to biodiversity and development.
To measure BNG and assess the impacts of planning applications Defra’s Biodiversity Metric (or for smaller sites the small sites metric) should be used.
Biodiversity Net Gain: Good practice principles for development (published by CIEEM) should be followed when designing developments and preparing planning applications. Further advice can be obtained from the council via our pre-application advice service.
Planning applicants will need to provide information on the biodiversity value of their application site and how they plan to deliver 10% BNG as part of their application. Details can be found on our validation webpages.
In most cases, BNG should be provided on the development site (particularly where proposals impact designated sites, irreplaceable habitats or priority habitats), but in some cases, and in agreement with the council, it may be necessary to provide the net gain off-site. This could be on land within the planning applicant’s control or via another landowner or BNG broker. The council has worked with the Gloucestershire Nature and Climate Fund to enable a supply of potential off-site BNG delivery locations.
Government guidance on the BNG process is available at:
Gloucestershire Local Nature Recovery Strategy and BNG
Local Nature Recovery Strategies are spatial strategies introduced by the Environment Act 2021 which aim to guide nature restoration to contribute to the expansion of the Nature Recovery Network across England. The strategies help to understand where nature recovery actions in the area would be most effective and will make the greatest collective impact for biodiversity. The Gloucestershire Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) establishes biodiversity priorities and maps proposals for actions to push the recovery of nature and improvement of biodiversity across the county. Gloucestershire County Council was appointed by Defra as the Responsible Authority for the Gloucestershire LNRS which was published on the 13 February 2026.
Developers should use the LNRS to design green infrastructure that delivers for people and positively impacts nature and its recovery across the county. The LNRS should also be used by planning applicants when determining how and where to deliver BNG as part of their development, including to inform the location of off-site BNG. Development projects which create, enhance, or recover habitat in locations mapped in the LNRS will generate a higher biodiversity value within the metric than they would in other locations which are not mapped within the LNRS. The BNG statutory metric user guides contain guidance on how to assign strategic significance for habitats in the biodiversity metric using the LNRS.
Planning applicants should refer to the relevant guidance for BNG to ensure that the LNRS and strategic significance have been appropriately considered and recorded within their BNG proposals prior to submitting their application to the local planning authority. Further information published by Local Government Association Planning Advisory Service provides guidance on how strategic significance should be recorded after the publication of the LNRS. Guidance documents are periodically updated to reflect changes in national and local legislation, policy and guidance.
In conjunction with referring to the LNRS, applicants may need to consult with an ecological professional to decide on the most appropriate creation, enhancement, or restoration measures or to inform habitat and land management plans. Alternatively, applicants can engage with our pre-application advice service.