Biodiversity net-gain has been lurking around the peripheries of
planning and environmental protection for some time. However, with
the Environment Bill continuing its journey through parliament this
autumn, the concept is finally set to become law.
Although technically complicated to calibrate, the idea of net
gain is straightforward to understand: any development should leave
the natural environment in a measurably better state than before.
This can be achieved directly through habitat creation and
enhancement or by mitigating harm. It can also be achieved
indirectly through more complex tools such as biodiversity credits
and conservation covenants. References to 'biodiversity
enhancement' already features in the National Planning Policy
Framework, (February 2019), government Planning Guidance Natural
Environment (21 July 2019) and even some Local Plans. However it is
only following a Defra consultation (December 2018) that
biodiversity net gain is finally being
