Canterbury’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.

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

Canterbury is part of the Kent and Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Information can be found here.

Specific BNG Requirements are set out in Policy 5.8.6 of the Sustainability Appraisal Report (February 2024).

Effects on biodiversity (SA Objective 3) are also considered to be mixed. Policy SS1 supports investment in natural and semi natural open space, parks and gardens and a new country park. The policy also protects and seeks to enhance features including rivers, streams and ponds. A requirement for a 20% biodiversity net gain in new development is also included in the policy wording. The Council has undertaken a viability assessment which it considers demonstrates that this level of BNG (above the 10% legal requirement) is viable at the plan level and is also relying on evidence prepared by the Kent Nature Partnership. The Council has produced further explanation and justification within the Natural Environment and Open Space Topic Paper (2024), which accompanies the Draft Local Plan. The policy also supports the full recovery of the Stodmarsh Nature Reserve (which is a SAC, SPA, Ramsar) to meet its targets for water quality and improve biodiversity, and thus will support achievement of nutrient neutrality. Overall, a significant positive effect is assessed as well as minor negative effects. The requirements in SS3 would result in significant negative effects, although biodiversity net gain would likely see support positive effects. SS5 would support infrastructure including the provision of a country park and wastewater treatment which would support achievement of this objective and nutrient neutrality. With regards to water resource and quality (SA Objective 6) similar overall effects are assessed, as the policies would support water resources (through, for example, the identification of Broad Oak reservoir) and water efficiency in new development, some pressures on water resources are inevitable.

A new Local plan is currently being developed.

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