Reading’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.

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

Reading is part of the Berkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Information can be found here.

Specific BNG requirements are set out in Policy H11.8 of the Local Plan (adopted November 2019).

Proposals for new residential development that includes land within the curtilage or the former curtilage of private residential gardens will be acceptable where the development provides biodiversity net gain wherever possible, and would not have an adverse impact on biodiversity in terms of the fragmentation of blocks of gardens, which as a unit or in association with adjacent green space are deemed to make an important contribution to biodiversity and contribute to the green network

See also the Biodiversity Action Plan (adopted February 2021).

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