West Oxfordshire’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 Oxfordshire’s pre-application advice service can be foundhere.

West Oxfordshire is part of the Oxfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Information can be foundhere.

Specific BNG Requirements are set out in Policy 1.2 of the Interim BNG Guidance (adopted November 2023).

1.2. How will BNG be delivered?

BNG delivers measurable improvements for biodiversity by creating or enhancing habitats affected by development. BNG can be achieved on-site, off-site or through a combination of on-site and offsite measures. The starting point will be to focus on what can be done on-site. On-site measures can include the creation/enhancement of high quality landscaping and green infrastructure provision. Off-site habitat creation/enhancement can be delivered via habitat banks and with public and private landowners, preferably in the local authority area. If local off-site BNG delivery is not possible, the last resort option is to buy statutory credits from the government.

See also the Local Plan.

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