Purpose

A decision has been made
within Development Management to update the Planning Validation
checklist relating to the national requirements for Biodiversity
Net Gain (BNG) following the introduction of BNG legislation and
launch of mandatory BNG into the planning system in early
2024.
 
From 12 February 2024, major
planning applications need to meet the requirements for measurable
biodiversity net gain as set out in Schedule 7A of the Town and
Country Planning Act 1990 (inserted by the Environment Act 2021),
and information to demonstrate this is required in order to
validate an application. From 2nd April the same applies
to small site applications. Subject to relevant
exemptions.
 
Officers have considered
updating the local validation requirements for BNG but it is
considered that any such update would form part of the two-yearly
review/consultation period on the Planning validation checklist as
a whole.
 
Legal Services have been
consulted on these matters and are in agreement with the proposed
way forward.
 

Content

Decision to update the
National requirements on the Planning validation checklist to
accord with new legislation for Biodiversity Net Gain which became
mandatory in February ‘24 (for major applications-subject to
exemptions) and April ’24 (for small site
applications-subject to exemptions).