Response 982899

Response to request for information

Reference

982899

Response date

22 December 2022

Request

Questions regarding biodiversity net gain (BNG).

Response

1. Who is the BNG lead within the council and what are their direct contact details?

   • Paul Phillips (Ecology and Sustainability Officer) pphillips@rushcliffe.gov.uk

2. What practises/processes do the council currently have, or intend to have, in place for how they are going to manage/monitor the 30-year requirement for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) from November 2023 when 10% BNG becomes mandatory?

   • Biodiversity Net Gain submissions are currently assessed by the Ecology and Sustainability Officer. 

   • Monitoring will be required by the applicant via submission of monitoring reports required via suitably worded planning conditions. For mandatory BNG, planning and ecology officers will assess BNG submissions. The wording of conditions under the mandatory BNG scheme is to be advised by national government within its guidance which is yet to be published. On receipt of monitoring reports from applicants an assessment will be made by planning and ecological officers.

3. What information/technology systems do you plan to utilise to manage/monitor the delivery of BNG?

   • Options are still being determined as suppliers develop new systems. The potential suppliers of information/technology systems are commercially sensitive.

4. Which outside bodies (eg wildlife trusts, ecologists, community groups, habitat banks) are you working with to assist in delivering Biodiversity Net Gain?

   • The council has been working with the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, neighbouring Local Planning Authorities, the County Council, and is also in discussion with commercial habitat bank / BNG delivery companies.

5. Is the council planning to use any of their own land to deliver BNG? If so, please provide details of the location and size.

   • This is not yet decided but will be considered after assessing opportunities.

6. What plans do you have in place, or intend to have for the training of staff on BNG?

   • It is intended that staff working on BNG will have appropriate training, the options for this are yet to be finalised and partially depend on training requirements and opportunities yet to be established by national government and training providers.