Schemes may deliver compensation for biodiversity impacts on or offsite to achieve Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). Industry good practice principles (CIEEM, 2016) include a principle to optimise the wider environmental benefits for a sustainable society and economy, alongside BNG delivery. This could be through locating and designing habitat creation and enhancements to deliver a range of multiple benefits that can improve the wellbeing of residents and contribute to net zero. Projects should use local plans and strategies to identify opportunities to achieve this.
An example of a project where we have done this is the Forder Valley Link Road in Plymouth where compensation was designed to enhance offsite Local Wildlife Sites. All of these green spaces were set out as priorities within the city’s Green Infrastructure strategy.
Presenters:
Tom Butterworth, Technical Director, WSP in the UK
Jonny Miller, Principal Consultant, Biodiversity, WSP in the UK