Planning authorities are struggling to prepare for the introduction of biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements in November, according to the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
Under the Environment Act 2021, planning authorities in England will have to assess the expected impact of planning proposals on biodiversity and seek mitigation.
This will apply for major applications from November – although the Government has not confirmed the date – and smaller sites from April 2024. In a survey of RTPI members, 61% of public sector planners could not confirm that they would have a dedicated BNG resource and in-house ecological expertise in place by November.
The survey, carried out between May and August this year, also revealed that 79% of public sector planners believe that BNG practice would be improved with confirmation from the Government of additional ‘skills and staff’.
The professional body’s chief executive, Victoria Hills, said the Government was ‘running out of time’ to prepare planning authorities for the biodiversity requirements.
Ms Hills said the RTPI was working with ministers to ‘to urgently clarify the details of new BNG regulations, funding and training’.
She added: ‘Immediate clarity and support will be crucial to the successful implementation of biodiversity net gain and to avoid adding to England’s planning backlog.’
If you found this article interesting, then check out our feature, 'Planning for biodiversity.'
