The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has said that Government proposals to require all developments to leave biodiversity in a better state than before aren't suitable for everywhere in England.
The RTPI responded to a Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) consultation on the matter, saying that biodiversity net gain should "inform but not replace the professional judgment of planners and ecologists as they respond to specific local circumstances and enforce the mitigation hierarchy."
Instead they believe bespoke policies would be more suitable, such as the draft plan for London's Urban Greening Factor. They argue that dense urban areas where developments occur on previously developed land that holds little biodiversity value, a net gain for biodiversity is not appropriate.
They believe that local authorities should work to develop "strategic spatial plans for the environment, setting out objectives for biodiversity, green and blue infrastructure, natural capital, accessibility, and other priorities at a landscape level."
Policy and networks manager at the RTPI, James Harris, did say that the institute does support Defra's ambition to deliver biodiversity net gain through planning, but that measuring biodiversity net gain does not appear to be suitable for sites with zero or little existing biodiversity value, and so may have limited value.
He commented: "For brownfield sites with limited biodiversity value in a dense urban setting, a specific target for biodiversity units would surely be more appropriate than a percentage gain. It is also critical that any changes strengthen the ability of planners to work creatively with developers, other professionals and local communities to create great places. These changes must be complemented with proper resourcing for planners, enabling the profession to fulfil its leadership function, bringing together public and private investment to create places which benefit the economy, environment and society."
