Net Gain relates to an approach to development and land management that aims to leave our natural environment in a measurably better situation than before development took place.  Net gain can include positive outcomes for biodiversity or natural capital or environmental net gains for the natural environment.  This will lead to better designed and considered ‘place making’ and is not intended to inhibit built development but provide better development that relates to its surroundings.
Net gain can be on site or where there is insufficient space there can be strategic offsetting or tariff payment or a combination of approaches.  Conservation of existing assets is not enough to prevent habitat loss. A policy of providing a network of inter-connected sites with stepping stones and green corridors between will establish a more resilient and adaptive environment.

​It is important to have a mechanism in place for measurement.  The DEFRA metric utilizes a mitigation hierarchy: avoid (this is the preferred option); mitigate; or compensate.  Many developers such as Berkeley, Redrow and Millwood are already voluntarily incorporating Net Gain into their proposals.
Appropriate assessment is essential: if there is no evidence of what is on site beforehand, there will be no evidence of a negative or positive impact following development. As Peter Drucker stated, “What gets measured, gets managed”.
Trading rules are built in.  There is a requirement for a ‘like for like’ replacement and improvement.  A 10% increase is suggested but not mandated.  It is down to individual local authorities to decide.  Some authorities are aiming high and setting the net gain requirement at 20%.
There is a business case for incorporating Net Gain into development proposals.  Measuring and responding to what is on site reduces risk and produces viable masterplans that respond to each specific location individually.  It also enables effective cost control and potential improved income.  Incorporating biodiversity does not have to be expensive.  Using native species and mowing regimes to encourage wildflower meadows can be cost effective.

The Government consultation on whether net gain should be mandated closed on the 10th February.  The consultation related to whether Net Gain should apply to all development under Town and Country Planning excepting permitted development and whether Net Gain should be mandatory.
A new DEFRA metric 2.0 will be launched in the spring.  This will include:

• Green infrastructure;
• Rivers;
• Intertidal; and
• New connectivity multipliers.

This could later be extended to marine planning.  This will be freely available and will included detailed guidance and a free user tool.
An ECO metric is currently being tested on a phased two year programme using data from Balfour Beatty and Highways England among others.  This will be a bolt on to the DEFRA Biodiversity Metric and will look at providing a wider environmental Net Gain approach: encompassing clean air and water.; mitigating and adapting to climate change; sustainability and reduction of waste; and managing exposure to environmental hazards.

Source:
NPPF Seminar, LI Seminar 21.02.2019 -Nick White , Natural England – Net Gain: From Emerging Concept Towards Mainstream Reality

JFA provide ecological guidance and monitoring for new 21 ha development

JFA will provide ecological in-put on behalf of Taylor Wimpey-Persimmon Homes to Park Farm South East, part of a phased 2,300 unit development outside Ashford, Kent, with 353 plots covering 21 hectares. The ecology team will be assisting in the creation of new wildlife habitats to retain and improve biodiversity on site and will be providing an ecological mitigation strategy (EMS), construction ecological management plan (CEMP), landscape and ecology management plan (LEMP), as well as on-site services and monitoring.  JFA have been proud to be associated with the earlier phases at Park Farm and expect this to be an outstanding development with many potential net gains for biodiversity.

JFA's Principal uses her expertise in Lakeview Inquiry
Jaquelin Clay, Principal of JFA Environmental, is using her inquiry expertise to provide Expert Witness support to Aylesford Heritage Limited in matters related to landscape. This inquiry relates to a housing proposal within a quarry, which is approaching the end of its working life.  The inquiry will evaluate visual impacts on the landscape setting and heritage assets and is programmed for early March. A result is expected in the Spring.