Mid Sussex’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.

Mid Sussex’s pre-application advice service can be found here.

Mid Sussex is part of the West Sussex Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Information can be found here.

Specific BNG requirements are set out in Policy DPN2 of the Local Plan (drafted December 2023).

The requirement for mandatory biodiversity net gain was introduced by the Environment Act 2021. Biodiversity net gain seeks to deliver measurable improvements for biodiversity by creating or enhancing habitats in association with development. Biodiversity net gain can be delivered on-site, off-site or through a combination of on-site and off-site measures. However, the implementation of biodiversity net gain should align with the local objectives and priorities for biodiversity improvements and nature recovery. The mitigation hierarchy set out in the National Planning Policy Framework should be followed: firstly by avoiding harm to biodiversity, then providing mitigation with compensation as a last resort. Biodiversity net gain is an additional requirement and should only be applied after impacts of development on nature conservation sites, habitats and species have first been avoided.

See also the BNG Page.

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