Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
Under law, new developments (unless exempted) are now required to deliver ‘biodiversity net gains’ (BNG) to nature by creating and/or improving habitats as part of the development. BNG makes sure that new developments have a positive impact on biodiversity and contribute towards the recovery of nature. BNG should ideally be provided on-site, but where this is not possible BNG can be provided off-site. This can include the purchase of ‘biodiversity units’ from private habitat banks.
BNG is a legal requirement and operates through a set process. If your development requires BNG, you must submit specific information through your planning application. This includes metrics to calculate the value of habitats and measure the gains. You are encouraged to consider BNG in the earliest stages of the design of your development.
The Government have published guidance on BNG.
Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS)
The Government are creating a national nature recovery network, made up of 48 Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS). Lancashire County Council (LCC) are preparing the LNRS for Lancashire. The LNRS should be considered through BNG.
Further information on the Lancashire LNRS, including mapping and details of public consultation, on the LCC website.
In June 2025, LCC published the Draft LNRS for consultation. More details can be found through the above link. Once the final LNRS is published, it will form a material consideration for planning applications. BNG metrics will also use the LNRS to calculate ‘strategic significance’. If you are proposing new development, that will require BNG, you should consider the LNRS and be aware that the biodiversity metric calculations for a site may change upon the adoption of the LNRS. This may change the number of biodiversity units that you need to provide.
Helping wildlife
BNG and the LNRS focus on habitats. However, there are other ways new development can support nature. National planning policy (the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)) encourages new developments to design for wildlife by providing features like bird and bat boxes, and ‘hedgehog highways’.
The council has a Hedgehog Action Plan to better support hedgehogs.
Biodiversity and Climate Change
Further information on biodiversity in South Ribble, including our Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, can be found on our Biodiversity webpage.
View more information on Climate Change.