# The Steeple Renewables Project Order 2026, Paragraph 8: Biodiversity net gain


(1) No part of the authorised development may commence until a biodiversity net gain strategy has been submitted to and approved by the relevant planning authority for that part, in consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation body.
(2) The biodiversity net gain strategy must include details of how the strategy will secure a minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain in area-based habitat units, a minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain in hedgerow units, and 10% biodiversity net gain in watercourse units for all of the authorised development during the operation of the authorised development, using the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ 4.0 metric to calculate those percentages (or such other biodiversity metric approved by the relevant planning authority in consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation body).
(3) The biodiversity net gain strategy must be maintained throughout the operation of the relevant part of the authorised development to which the plan relates.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/1086/schedule/2/paragraph/8 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/steeple-renewables-project-order-2026/schedule-2/paragraph-8
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.