Bristol’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.

Bristol’s pre-application advice service can be foundhere.

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

Specific BNG Requirements are set out in Policy 9.1.25 of the Local Plan (adopted November 2023).

9.1.25 The Environment Act in 2021, requires all non-exempted development which needs planning permission to secure measurable improvements to natural habitats. This means setting out, within a Biodiversity Gain Plan, how development will: Deliver a minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain, measured using the Defra Metric. Minimise the adverse effect of the development on the biodiversity of onsite habitat and any other habitat. Deliver against the biodiversity net gain hierarchy, which requires consideration of delivery on-site, offsite biodiversity gain or biodiversity credits.

See also the BNG Page.

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