Blackburn with Darwen’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.

Blackburn with Darwen’s pre-application advice service can be found here.

Blackburn with Darwen is part of the Lancashire Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Information can be found here.

Specific BNG Requirements are set out in Policy 2.13 of the Local Plan (adopted 25 January 2024).

2.13 The Local Plan Climate Change and Natural Capital Study (2021) provides an integrated assessment to identify how the Local Plan can contribute to the Council’s goals of becoming carbon neutral, whilst addressing the latest Government requirements to achieve Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) from new development. Through the process of habitat mapping, the report identifies over 1,000 hectares for BNG focus as well as 2,400 hectares of improved grassland that could be considered for woodland planting to increase carbon sequestration. The range of natural capital assets and ecosystems services that they provide, highlight the value of assets in the Borough to support wellbeing and nature recovery. The Environment Act 2021 has also strengthened the legislative requirements on biodiversity, air quality, water pollution, resource efficiency and waste reduction.

Specific Strategic Significance Requirements are set out in Policy 4.85 of the Local Plan (adopted 25 January 2024).

4.85 New development will be required to protect and enhance habitats and ecological networks. In advance of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy being prepared then Environmental Opportunity Areas and wildlife site designations set out on the Policies Map will be used to identify whether habitats have ‘strategic significance’ in the context of Policy CP6 and the Biodiversity Metric. Developments should also seek to protect and enhance ecological networks, including wildlife corridors and stepping stones. These are areas of land (like canals, woodlands, road verges, and ponds) that connect habitats allowing wildlife to move between the spaces. By improving these connections, we can help strengthen ecological networks to support the movement of nature and address habitat fragmentation.