Planning Series: Biodiversity net gain

Following the success of last year’s webinar series, our planning team launched a new series of live bitesize planning webinars. Each webinar explores at least one key planning issue or update that impacts on property developments and regeneration.

In the third webinar of this series, our expert looks at the key provisions that are aimed at delivering a net gain in biodiversity value of 10% on development, including:  

• the new statutory condition and how it fits into the planning system;
• how the gain will be calculated and delivered;
• new duties on local authorities to enhance biodiversity; and
• the new role of conservation covenants in securing habitat enhancements.

With the delayed Environment Bill having returned to the House of Commons for a third reading and the intention to consider it in the House of Lords in June 2021, we will revisit the draft legislation for imposing a mandatory net gain in biodiversity for development in England.