Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a way of making sure new development helps nature. It means that when new buildings or projects are built, they must leave the natural environment in a better state than it was before.
- To do this, developers are expected to:
- First, try to avoid harming important wildlife or habitats.
- If harm can’t be avoided, reduce it as much as possible.
- If there is still some harm, provide compensation by improving or creating habitats elsewhere.
- Make sure new developments don’t cut off or break up existing wildlife habitats.
- Increase biodiversity by at least 10% compared to what was there before.
- Put plans in place to look after habitats for the long term.
Some smaller developments, such as household planning applications, don’t have to meet the 10% target. The Government (Defra) has published a list of these exemptions, which may change over time:
- The Biodiversity Gain Requirements (Exemptions) Regulations 2024 - legislation.gov.uk website
Guidance for Greater Manchester
To make things clear and consistent across the region, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has published guidance on how BNG will work locally:
- Biodiversity Net Gain in Greater Manchester - GMCA website
This includes:
- BNG guidance – Explains how developers can deliver biodiversity improvements.
- Off-site BNG guidance – Explains how landowners can set up “habitat banks” and how these will be checked and monitored if used to offset development impacts. Oldham Council will follow this guidance when agreeing legal arrangements (Section 106 agreements) with landowners.
- Strategic Significance guidance – Explains how biodiversity improvements should link up with Greater Manchester’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy, so that they benefit the wider natural environment.