Developers in BCP may have to hand over money to the council to pay for nature

Developers can provide ADDITIONAL funding to promote nature and green spaces in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

BCP Council will be one of the first local authorities in the country to introduce a new “green finance” model, ensuring investment in biodiversity is made across the metropolitan area.

The council’s Financing Nature report outlines a strategy for funding investment in green spaces in the BCP area.

The money would be raised through the government’s new Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) planning policy, which became binding in February 2024.

The new national policy requires all developers to ensure that new developments have a measurably positive impact (“net gain”) on biodiversity compared to previous developments.

Developers must deliver a GNG of 10 percent. If this cannot be achieved, they can purchase units through a mechanism known as a Habitat Banking Vehicle (HBV).

HBV funds the restoration of specific habitats in designated areas of the UK or supports the survival of native species.

Over the next year the council is working on setting up an HBV, which will be deployed across multiple sites across the conurbation and could generate a surplus of £1.47m to be reinvested in urban green spaces.

This means that money raised by developers to fund biodiversity improvements stays in the local BCP area and not elsewhere in the UK.

Andy Hadley (Image: BCP Council)

Andy Hadley, cabinet member for climate change and the environment, said: “The BCP area has one of the most diverse and rich natural environments in the UK and we at the council are determined to protect and enhance this.”

“The new GNH planning policy offers us a significant opportunity to improve our important green spaces for the benefit of our residents.

“We want to ensure that when developments occur in the BCP, the money is also spent on promoting local biodiversity to compensate.

“By developing this sustainable financing model, we are not only advancing our environmental goals, but also strengthening the BCP Council’s role in environmental leadership.”

The council policy, supported by Natural England and the National Trust, is due to be implemented as part of BCP Council’s new local plan following approval by the full council in spring 2025.