Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is a way to contribute to the recovery of nature while developing land. It is making sure the habitat for wildlife is in a better state than it was before development. In order to identify the baseline biodiversity value of a site and set the required levels of improvement, a potential developer will be required to complete ‘the biodiversity metric’.   

The biodiversity metric is a habitat-based approach used to assess an area’s value to wildlife. The metric uses habitat features to calculate a biodiversity value.

The biodiversity metric can be used by:

• Ecologists or developers carrying out a biodiversity assessment
• Developers who have commissioned a biodiversity assessment
• Planning authorities who are interpreting metric outputs in a planning application
• Communities who want to understand the impacts of a local development
• Landowners or land managers who want to provide biodiversity units from their sites to others

The first phase of the requirement was due to come into effect in November 2023 for Major development sites, but as of 27th September 2023, this has been delayed by the Government.

When BNG becomes a requirement, there will be a validation checklist for developers/applicants to comply with when submitting development proposal applications. Please follow the link for the criteria for what should accompany your planning application:

County Council as Lead Local Flood Authority are making changes to their service as follow:

The County Council as the Lead Local Flood Authority offers the following levels of service for developers.

• Where advice is required on the interpretation of our substantive response, we will provide this. This could include, if necessary, one meeting (face to face, virtual, or telecon) of no longer than two hours at no charge.
• Where we have not taken into account a materially significant aspect of the submitted documentation, we will enter into limited correspondence in order to rectify the matter free of charge.
• Any requests for further advice or review of revised proposals will be outside the scope of our free service and will incur a standard charge of £150 +VAT per hour. This charge will cover the review of documentation, and a meeting (face to face, virtual, or telecon).
• Revised proposals arising from the above should then be submitted to the LPA for formal consultation.
• We will not entertain any discussions on the engineering principles that underpin our advice or policies that we observe in formulating that advice.

Planning Advice Tariff – Post Planning Application Submission | East Sussex County Council

This new approach has taken effect and there will be a requirement now to formally consult County LLFA on the provision of additional information or changes to a scheme