Brentwood’s BNG level is set at 10%.

The NPPF states: "applicants are encouraged to consider biodiversity net gain early in the development process and factor it into site selection and design. Where appropriate, they should discuss the biodiversity net gain requirements for their development upfront with the relevant local planning authority utilising any pre-application advice services offered by them. This could help establish whether development proposals would be subject to biodiversity net gain and, if they are, enable feedback on the proposed strategy for achieving the biodiversity gain objective and consideration of the Biodiversity Gain Hierarchy to inform the design of the proposals"

Please note, If you work for the LPA and wish to add additional information, please inform the Joe's Blooms team here.

Brentwood’s pre-application advice service can be foundhere.

Brentwood is part of the Greater Essex Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Information can be foundhere.

Specific BNG requirements are set out in Policy 9.43 of the Local Plan (adopted March 2022).

9.43 As well as establishing an integrated ecological network within the site, the development should demonstrate its ecological connectivity to the wider ‘living landscape’ habitats and local wildlife destinations beyond the development boundary, for example Eastlands Spring, Thorndon Country Park to Langdon Hills Country Park. The site’s existing habitats - such as the lakes and ponds - should inspire the basis for the design of parks and village greens as key destinations and nodes of social-cultural activity within the village, in line with DH01d (social place). Connecting these natural heritage assets gives structure to the site and naturally divides it into potentially varying character areas for development.

Specific Strategic Significance requirements are set out in Policy 9.44 of the Local Plan (adopted March 2022).

9.44 Proposals will need to retain and weave through priority habitats such as significant areas of existing woodland habitat; and where relevant, reinstate degraded fenland and demonstrate the measures taken to protect mature trees; and where appropriate, enhance hedgerows, ponds and other environmental features of note, which contribute to the character and biodiversity. The river course and ponds should be retained to minimise impact on the wildlife they support as well as contributing to sustainable drainage across the site.