A practical guide to UK biodiversity net gain costs

From 2023, planning permission will only be granted to developments that achieve a minimum threshold for net gain in biodiversity. But what does this mean in practice for developers?

Key Takeaways:

• New regulation will require a 10% net gain in biodiversity as a condition of planning permission for all new developments across England and Wales
• Planning that minimises damage to valuable habitats will reduce viability risks and planning permission delays for developments
• Biodiversity net gain will likely be cheaper to achieve through on site or local habitat improvement
• Replacing habitats off site by purchasing biodiversity credits could cost more than 10 times the price of compensating on site

You can find example Biodiversity net gain calculations below: