Test Valley’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.

Test Valley’s pre-application advice service can be foundhere.

Test Valley is part of the Hampshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Information can be foundhere.

Specific BNG requirements are set out in Policy 5.251 of the Emerging Local Plan (drafted February 2024).

The Environment Act 2021 introduced a 10% mandatory requirement for biodiversity net gain in conjunction with certain development. Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is the achievement of measurable gains for biodiversity through new development and occurs when a development leaves biodiversity in a better state than before development. This is over and above the consideration of potential effects on habitats and species of importance. The NPPF also set out that Local Plans should pursue opportunities for securing measurable net gains for biodiversity.

See also the BNG Page.

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