General Advice
Local validation requirements here
Hastings’ 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.
Pre-Application Advice Service
Hastings’ pre-application advice service can be foundhere.
Local Nature Recovery Strategy
Hastings is part of the East Sussex and Brighton & Hove Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Information can be foundhere.
Specific Requirements
Specific BNG requirements are set out in Development Policy 5 of the Local Plan Draft.
Development (other than where loss of degradation of habitat would be negligible such as a change of use or building alteration) will be expected to demonstrate biodiversity net gain and will be supported where proposals can demonstrate:
The development has been informed by ecological information, as set out in an ecological statement that sets out constraints and opportunities relating to onsite and adjacent biodiversity;
A minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain on all greenfield sites using the DEFRA metric (or equivalent agreed as part of any pre-application discussion) either on or, offsite where net gain cannot be achieved on site; and
A long-term monitoring and management plan for biodiversity has been prepared. For major development this should cover a 30 year period and will be secured by a planning condition or as a planning obligation secured by a Section 106 Agreement.
Where biodiversity net gain cannot be achieved on site, the Council may accept a payment secured through a legal agreement to deliver suitable off-site compensation though biodiversity enhancements to protected sites and sites of biodiversity importance in the Borough.
Please note that the new Local Plan will be adopted soon.
Strategic Significance
N/A