North Devon’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.

North Devon’s pre-application advice service can be found here.

North Devon is part of the Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Information can be found here.

Specific BNG Requirements are set out in Policy 6.5 of the Local Plan (adopted October 2018).

6.5 All development will be expected to provide a net gain in biodiversity where feasible. Where biodiversity assets cannot be retained or enhanced on site, the Councils will support ‘biodiversity offsetting’ to deliver a net gain in biodiversity off-site in accordance with the offsetting strategy(39) . Biodiversity gain can best be achieved across northern Devon as a whole by enhancing the existing network of habitats, especially outside designated areas. Offsetting should generally occur close to where habitat has been lost, with future provision supported by a green infrastructure strategy. However, 'critical environmental capital' such as ancient woodland and veteran trees are not replaceable and should not be lost. European protected species will be conserved by protecting and enhancing the key habitats on which they depend, including for feeding, burrowing, roosting and hibernating. Flyways for bats will be protected by considering impacts from lighting.

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