Biodiversity refers to the variety of plant and animal life in the world or within a specific habitat, which is considered important and desirable. Over the past 50 years, there has been a decline in biodiversity despite efforts to prevent habitat and species loss.

Previous policies focusing on 'no net loss' of biodiversity have been deemed ineffective. As a result, the Government is currently working on mandating a policy within The Environment Bill that will require a 10% net gain in biodiversity from certain developments.

This shift has put increasing pressure on developers to create sites that contribute positively to biodiversity net gain. While the precise requirements for achieving net gain are still being finalised, it is evident that this will have significant planning and cost implications across the development community.

Assessing the biodiversity value of a site involves conducting a detailed survey to identify the existing flora and fauna within the area. This survey must delve deeper than traditional 'Phase One' surveys, providing a more comprehensive understanding.

Determining whether a proposed development results in a loss is neutral, or achieves net gain in biodiversity requires a complex calculation using a pre-approved matrix. This calculation is typically performed by experienced and appropriately trained ecologists, considering the specific site and proposed development.

It is important to recognise that evaluating and implementing biodiversity net gain cannot be done hastily or without a thorough understanding of the site and its development plans.

As a developer, it is crucial to ensure that your projects yield a suitable return on investment. You need to understand the expected outcomes in terms of biodiversity net gain. That's where Ascerta can accompany and assist you at every step of the process.