As the Director of Land, Water and Seas strategy, Ruth Andreyeva has been a pivotal figure in the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) initiative, which was made mandatory in England earlier this year, 2024. With a wealth of experience garnered from extensive collaborations across both industry and public sectors, Ruth’s insights are indispensable for Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) as they navigate this new regulatory landscape.
During an in-depth discussion with Ruth, she shared her experiences and key strategies that can aid LPAs in effectively implementing BNG while managing the various pressures they encounter.
“Being strategic is essential,” Ruth articulated, her tone combining passion with precision. “BNG isn’t merely about ticking boxes; it’s about generating tangible, measurable benefits for nature, and consequently, for local communities.” Ruth elaborated that a strategic approach involves not only focusing on wildlife but also on how BNG can transform areas into greener, more attractive places to live and work. She emphasised the significance of aligning BNG delivery with emerging Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) to maximise impact.
Ruth also highlighted the necessity of empowering landowners to provide the habitats that are locally required. This often necessitates entering into legal agreements, such as Section 106 agreements, to secure long-term commitments to habitat creation and maintenance. “Being strategic also means optimising the use of often limited LPA staffing resources,” she added. Ruth advocates for a triage approach to concentrate efforts on the most significant gains and risks, prioritising where the impact will be greatest.
One of the most poignant lessons Ruth imparted was the critical importance of collaboration. “No LPA is an island,” she remarked, underscoring the value of working with other LPAs across England for peer support and resource sharing. She cited the BNG weekly drop-in sessions run by the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) as a prime example. “These sessions offer a fantastic opportunity for LPAs to share best practices and learn from each other’s experiences. It’s about building on proven methods rather than reinventing the wheel.”
Ruth pointed out that some LPAs have had the opportunity to get ahead and are eager to share their learnings. For instance, the Small Sites Metric leverages existing information, and some LPAs are already utilising local record centres for necessary evidence. This collaborative ethos is encouraging more LPAs to adopt similar practices, fostering a culture of shared knowledge and mutual support.
“BNG is consented and enforced by LPAs through the planning regime,” Ruth explained. She stressed the importance of distinguishing between mandatory tasks and supplementary actions. Once planning permission is granted, the metric used to baseline biodiversity should remain consistent throughout post-decision delivery. However, the 30-year monitoring plan should allow for reasonable amendments, ensuring long-term success while maintaining flexibility.
Ruth also discussed additional opportunities LPAs might consider, such as generating income by selling off-site units from their own local authority land. “It’s crucial to encourage developers to provide the required BNG on-site or, as a secondary option, off-site. Statutory biodiversity credits are available as a last resort if these options are not feasible,” she noted.
Reflecting on the broader impact of BNG, Ruth remarked that the most significant takeaway from this period of change is the possibility for sustainable development and nature recovery to coexist harmoniously. Achieving this requires concerted effort across sectors and geographies to drive national change. Ruth expressed her gratitude to the numerous individuals and organisations dedicated to ensuring BNG can facilitate nature recovery. “We’re proud to play our part in enabling sustainable growth in Britain. Thank you to everyone working on BNG, especially to LPAs.”
Her final words were a call to action for those involved in BNG implementation: “If you work for an LPA and have an interest in BNG, seek out advice, support, and training. It’s a collective effort, and together, we can make a significant difference.”
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