General Advice
Local validation requirements here
Preston’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.
Pre-Application Advice Service
Preston’s pre-application advice service can be found here.
Local Nature Recovery Strategy
Preston is part of the Lancashire Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Information can be found here.
Specific Requirements
Specific BNG Requirements are set out in Policy 12 of the Biodiversity SPD (adopted 2015).
12. The Framework includes a range of requirements relating to biodiversity that are relevant to this SPD, It states that:
The planning system should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by minimising impacts on biodiversity and providing net gains in 5 biodiversity where possible, contributing to the Government’s commitment to halt the overall decline in biodiversity, including by establishing coherent ecological networks that are more resilient to current and future pressures [paragraph 109].
A new Local Plan is currently being developed.
Strategic Significance
N/A