Biodiversity, or more specifically, increasing biodiversity, is a significant focus of the UK Government, and one that housebuilders have a growing responsibility to support.
In the near future, developers like Grace Homes will be obliged to use DEFRA’s biodiversity metric to demonstrate any planned development will enrich the diversity and rarity of species on a site by 10% (this is also known as ‘Biodiversity Net Gain’, or BNG). Such is the importance placed on BNG, failure to sufficiently demonstrate the plan may result in planning permission being refused.
So, what exactly is biodiversity? In short, it is the natural world around us, all of the organisms - the plants, animals, insects, and ecosystems which live on our planet. If a housebuilder cannot add ecological value to a site, plans must be put into place that either enhances the on-site biodiversity or create new habitats elsewhere. Ultimately, biodiversity net gain is an approach that aims to leave the natural environment in a better place than before the development.
The legal requirement for BNG may not come into force for another 18 months, but we are already working hard to improve biodiversity at a local level. Our recent development in Nether Broughton is a good example of how we are creating positive spaces for the natural world.
Steven Bateman, Planning & Technical Director at Grace Homes, explains:
“We have always taken our ecological responsibilities very seriously, but as biodiversity considerations have grown in importance, we’ve been looking at different ways to build this into our developments.
“For instance in Nether Broughton we have enhanced the area around an existing pond by creating a pair of hibernacula (underground chambers for hibernating creatures to shelter them from bad weather and protect them from predators). We have also planted up an ecological corridor and added newt-friendly kerbs to allow the existing wildlife to move about freely and safely.
“Every development differs in terms of what is required. In the same way that we build homes that are best-suited to their surroundings, when we are considering our ecological responsibilities, it is definitely not a case of one size fits all. We work closely with ecological consultants to make sure our approach is finely tuned to the environment that we are working in. For instance, we may create a pond or wild meadows in one location, but in another we may have more of a focus on creating a new badger sett or adding in new habitats for bats. Wherever possible, we look to go above and beyond what is required.”
Find out more ways in which we are supporting our environment here.
Biodiversity, or more specifically, increasing biodiversity, is a significant focus of the UK Government, and one that housebuilders have a growing responsibility to support.
In the near future, developers like Grace Homes will be obliged to use DEFRA’s biodiversity metric to demonstrate any planned development will enrich the diversity and rarity of species on a site by 10% (this is also known as ‘Biodiversity Net Gain’, or BNG). Such is the importance placed on BNG, failure to sufficiently demonstrate the plan may result in planning permission being refused.
So, what exactly is biodiversity? In short, it is the natural world around us, all of the organisms - the plants, animals, insects, and ecosystems which live on our planet. If a housebuilder cannot add ecological value to a site, plans must be put into place that either enhances the on-site biodiversity or create new habitats elsewhere. Ultimately, biodiversity net gain is an approach that aims to leave the natural environment in a better place than before the development.
The legal requirement for BNG may not come into force for another 18 months, but we are already working hard to improve biodiversity at a local level. Our recent development in Nether Broughton is a good example of how we are creating positive spaces for the natural world.
Steven Bateman, Planning & Technical Director at Grace Homes, explains:
“We have always taken our ecological responsibilities very seriously, but as biodiversity considerations have grown in importance, we’ve been looking at different ways to build this into our developments.
“For instance in Nether Broughton we have enhanced the area around an existing pond by creating a pair of hibernacula (underground chambers for hibernating creatures to shelter them from bad weather and protect them from predators). We have also planted up an ecological corridor and added newt-friendly kerbs to allow the existing wildlife to move about freely and safely.
“Every development differs in terms of what is required. In the same way that we build homes that are best-suited to their surroundings, when we are considering our ecological responsibilities, it is definitely not a case of one size fits all. We work closely with ecological consultants to make sure our approach is finely tuned to the environment that we are working in. For instance, we may create a pond or wild meadows in one location, but in another we may have more of a focus on creating a new badger sett or adding in new habitats for bats. Wherever possible, we look to go above and beyond what is required.”
Find out more ways in which we are supporting our environment here.
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