NCC ‘This paper sets out the NCC’s advice to government on net environmental gain. It considers recent commitments to mandate net biodiversity gain and the broad goals of the 25 Year Environment Plan. In its 2017 advice to government on the 25 Year Environment Plan (25 YEP), the NCC proposed that the concept of natural capital net gain (environmental net gain) should be incorporated as a key policy intent within the government’s 25 YEP. The Committee welcomed its inclusion in the 25 YEP published in January 2018.

The NCC was, however, disappointed that the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) produced in 2018 maintained the much narrower concept of net biodiversity gain. The revised NPPF did introduce net environmental gain language and a reference to natural capital enhancement, but it lacked a requirement for wider net environmental gains. Although the principle of reversing biodiversity decline is inherent within the NCC’s original recommendations, the natural environment is an interconnected system. Changing one element inevitably affects the whole system and the ecosystem services it can deliver. Hence it is vital that the wider system and outcomes are considered. The government’s consultation on net biodiversity gain was a missed opportunity to introduce a net environmental gain approach for development. The Committee recognises that in the consultation, net biodiversity gain is based on habitat creation and has some potential to deliver improvements in certain natural capital assets. The gain, however, is not as great as it would be if it had a natural capital focus and considered the environment as an integrated system. The NCC also notes the commitment in the Chancellor’s Spring Statement 2019 to use the forthcoming Environment Bill to mandate net biodiversity gain for development in England. The NCC considers this to be a further missed opportunity. In addition, the Committee notes that the net biodiversity gain requirement only applies to development approved under the Town and Country Planning regime. It will not apply to nationally significant projects, which are determined by the Planning Inspectorate, nor to marine developments considered by the Marine and Coastal Access Act under its licencing regime. The NCC is disappointed by these omissions and considers them to be a major flaw in the proposal.’

Ciria CIRIA have published, ‘Biodiversity net gain. Good practice principles for development (C776F)’. Download for free at: https://www.ciria.org/ItemDetail?iProductCode=C776F&Category=FREEPUBS.