Planners express concern at ability to handle biodiversity net gain

Almost all planners doubt their ability to deal with biodiversity net gain requirements, which took effect this week for major developments and will do so in April for smaller ones.

Under these rules, applicants for planning consent must show how they will increase biodiversity by at least 10% in cases where a project would damage a natural habitat.

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) said 81% of planners across the public and private sectors reported “low levels of confidence in their ability to handle new in the planning process” in its survey of members.

It also found 68% of all planners felt they needed more staff and skills, and 69% of those employed in the private sector - where developers will now need to demonstrate biodiversity net gain - wanted more case studies of best practice.

Among planners in the public sector, 41% told the RTPI they could not confirm whether they would have access to the necessary ecological expertise to comply with the new requirements before implementation.

RTPI chief executive Victoria Hills said: “We made it clear to the Government that, without adequate funding, new biodiversity net gain requirements could add disruption and delays in already overstretched local planning authorities.”

She said planners still needed better guidance, advice, and support

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has confirmed funding of £10.6m for next financial year as ‘new burdens’ money for councils to deal with biodiversity net gain but the RTPI was uncertain whether this funding will be adequate.

Mark Smulian