Biodiversity Net Gain: New planning application validation requirements from 12 February 2024

All planning applications made on or after 12 February 2024* must state if the anticipated planning permission would be subject to the biodiversity gain condition, and if not, why not.

If the anticipated planning permission would be subject to the biodiversity gain condition, because it would not be exempt or excepted (most major development) the application must be accompanied by:

Completed biodiversity metric calculation tool or tools showing how the biodiversity value(s) of the onsite habitat has been calculated. The date on which the onsite habitat biodiversity value is calculated will depend on whether the site has been degraded or cleared and, if it has, when that degradation took place.
Description of any irreplaceable habitat within the application site boundary.
Plan showing the location of any onsite habitat included in the biodiversity calculations and the location of any irreplaceable habitat.