The human version (we wrote this, not the council)
This policy, BN.3, requires all development to protect biodiversity and contribute to its recovery. Proposals must apply the mitigation hierarchy, deliver measurable habitat improvements supporting the Warwickshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy, and secure long-term management of biodiversity assets. Where land has been deliberately degraded before an application, the council will assess it on its original condition. Development subject to mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain must deliver at least 10% net gain, provided on site as a priority, with off-site provision guided by the local Ecosystem Services Trading Protocol.
An unofficial plain English summary. The official wording below is
what counts at examination; check it before you rely on anything here.
The text below is extracted automatically from the official PDF and may
contain artefacts; the PDF is authoritative.
• Offsetting environmental impacts using measures identified within the LNRS;
and
• Using spatial data (such as Areas of Particular Importance for Biodiversity (APIB)
and Areas that Could become of particular importance for Biodiversity (ACB)
layers) to inform site layout, landscape design, and ecological interventions.
7.1.9 The Warwickshire LNRS should be considered alongside other local and
regional plans to guide strategic land use planning. It helps identify site-based and
landscape-scale opportunities for nature recovery. Developers are encouraged to
use these opportunities when designing proposals, including for Biodiversity Net
Gain, to maximise ecological, social, and climate benefits.
7.1.10 Special consideration will be given to habitats and species predominately
found in South Warwickshire, such as calcareous grassland, Eurasian curlews, and
lesser horseshoe bats, ensuring that development contributes positively to local
nature recovery priorities.
Policy BN.3
Biodiversity
Development must protect biodiversity and contribute to its
recovery. All development should seek to deliver a net gain in biodiversity,
proportionate to the scale, nature and ecological value of the site.
A. Requirements
All proposals must:
1. Apply the mitigation hierarchy in accordance with Policy DS.1
1. Deliver measurable biodiversity enhancements that improve habitat
quality, connectivity and ecological resilience, supporting Warwickshire’s
Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) and the wider GBI network;
2. Secure long-term management and maintenance of biodiversity assets and
enhancements, proportionate to the development and ecological outcomes
proposed.
Where biodiversity has been deliberately degraded prior to submission, the Council
will assess the site based on its original condition, consistent with national BNG
policy.
B. Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Targets
Development subject to mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) must deliver a
minimum of 10% BNG.
BNG should be delivered on-site as a priority. Where this is not feasible, off-site
provision must be guided by the spatial hierarchy and local priorities set out in the
Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull Ecosystem Services Trading Protocol (or
successor documents).