Trust launches new biodiversity survey

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has launched a survey to help landowners, land managers and developers assess their readiness in terms Biodiversity Net Gain.

To gain planning permission, developers are now required by law to deliver a minimum of 10% net gain in biodiversity with newly created or enhanced habitats secured for at least 30 years on all new sites.

BNG became mandatory from last month – and now, the trust is inviting those involved in planning matters to take part in a survey to assess market readiness.

It has been devised by Wild Solutions, the trust’s in-house ecological consultancy and ecosystem services provider.

The trust itself has its own ‘habitant bank’ for Biodiversity Net Gain near Chesterfield.

Called Wild Whittington, it is the first habitat bank in Derbyshire to be secured with a Section 106 agreement with the local planning authority, in its case Chesterfield Borough Council.

The Wild Whittington habitat bank allows developers and planning authorities to source off-site Biodiversity Net Gain units to support development schemes and local nature.

It is managed by Wild Solutions, which is planning to bring forward further sites across Derbyshire in the weeks ahead.

In the meantime, the trust is urging landowners, land managers, developers and anyone else involved in planning to take part in the survey anonymously.

To take part in the survey, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GP6PS5Q .

To find out more about the work of Wild Solutions and the Wild Whittington habitat bank, visit http://www.wildsolutionsdwt.co.uk/news/derbyshires-first-habitat-bank-for-bng .