The purpose of BNG is to ensure we take measurable steps towards recovering what has been lost in a wider sense over a longer time period. In order to make this succeed, BNG proposals must be meaningful, respond to context, maximise opportunities for nature and follow best practice principles.

The mitigation hierarchy requires that impacts on biodiversity features are first avoided, then mitigated, and only as a last resort, compensated. This must be done before measures to provide BNG are considered. How this has been done must be detailed in the biodiversity gain plan. BNG does not replace existing protections for designated sites or protected species and BNG does not take these into consideration. As above, it will be necessary to demonstrate how these have been appropriately addressed in line with national legislation and local and national policy and how BNG is additional to these.

The following principles should be followed:

Be informed early by a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal which will provide information on the habitats on site and do a metric early so that you can see how BNG might be deliverable within the proposals. Respond to the site's current status and history (which may include information on soil types and fertility levels) to decide on the most appropriate options for habitat retention, creation and enhancement to increase the likelihood of success. Consult with the ENPA Ecologist.

The Exmoor Nature Recovery Vision and the Exmoor National Park Management Plan set out targets for creating more space for nature and diversity of habitats on Exmoor. Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) are in place for both Devon and Somerset and inform strategic areas for biodiversity net gain.

Look for opportunities to reconnect fragmented linear habitats such as hedgerows or tree lines, look for opportunities to create connectivity to or buffer priority habitats such as woodland, streams or species-rich grassland and protected sites. Habitat delivered for BNG should not be too small, isolated or impacted by surrounding uses that would impair its functionality e.g. lighting or residential amenity pressures.

When planning new habitat creation, consider how it fits into the landscape and whether it is appropriate to the character of the landscape and the features within it. The Exmoor Landscape Character Assessment, 2018, identifies landscape character types across the National Park to reflect local character and distinctiveness. The natural assets and ecosystem services are described for each, as well as management guidelines and the issues driving change; these can provide a useful landscape scale guide when planning new habitat creation.

By building nature-based solutions into BNG proposals, the development is more likely to achieve wider environmental benefits such as improvements in water quality, flood risk or air quality.