Paragraph 9 Biodiversity net gain

No part of the authorised development may commence until a biodiversity net gain strategy for that part has been submitted to and approved by the relevant planning authority for that part, or where a part falls within the administrative areas of multiple planning authorities each of the relevant planning authorities, in consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation body.

The biodiversity net gain strategy must include details of how the strategy will secure a minimum of 47% biodiversity net gain in habitat units, a minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain in hedgerow units and a minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain in river units for the authorised development during the operation of the authorised development, calculated using the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ Statutory Biodiversity Metric (February 2024), or other biodiversity net gain metric agreed between the undertaker and the local planning authority in consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation body.

The biodiversity net gain strategy must be substantially in accordance with the outline landscape and ecological management plan and must be implemented as approved.