West Northampton’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.

West Northampton’s pre-application advice service can be found here.

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

Specific BNG Requirements are set out in Policy 12.12.7-8 of the Local Plan (drafted April 2024).

12.12.7. The Council strongly encourages developers to seek opportunities to exceed the minimum 10% requirement to help increase levels of biodiversity and reverse the trend of biodiversity loss across the UK.

12.12.8. When securing biodiversity net gain, be that through on or off-site habitat enhancements and associated management, the local authority must be satisfied that this is secured in perpetuity. Developers will be required to maintain and manage biodiversity enhancements for at least 30 years and are encouraged to aim beyond this timeframe. This may involve the use of conservation covenants, private voluntary legal agreements between a landowner and a responsible body that will safeguard the land for conservation. Conservation covenants will continue to apply even if the land changes hand.

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