Welwyn Hatfield’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.

Welwyn Hatfield’s pre-application advice service can be found here.

Welwyn Hatfield is part of the Hertfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Information can be found here.

Specific BNG Requirements are set out in Policy 12.53 of the Local Plan (adopted October 2023).

12.53 Consistent with the National Planning Policy Framework, plans should identify and pursue opportunities for securing measurable net gains for biodiversity. Opportunities to improve biodiversity should be integrated as part of the design of proposals, especially where this can secure measurable net gains for biodiversity. The policy requirement for biodiversity net gain of at least 10% reflects the mandatory requirement set out in legislation, and will be applied to development within scope, with reference to legislation and guidance on this matter. The net gain shall be calculated using the most up to date Biodiversity Metric (or where appropriate, the Small Sites Metric), as hosted by Natural England.

See also the BNG Page.

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