Developers to create over 15,000ha of biodiversity a year under new laws

Developers will create the equivalent of 23,500 football pitches of improved biodiversity each year, according to an analysis of government figures. Under the biodiversity net gain laws, set to come into force in November, developers are required to mitigate the impact of their projects by improving land for wildlife, by investing in measures to increase the biodiversity score of sites by at least 10%. Research from Joe’s Blooms, a digital platform that helps property developers comply with the regulations, shows that this will secure more than 15,000ha of biodiversity in England each year. Government figures show that 5,428ha of habitat would be created per year, and 9,644ha per year of habitat damage would be avoided per year The data shows the biggest uplifts will be seen in the South East, which will gain 2,700ha, and the East of England, with 1,900ha. Birmingham, Leeds, and Manchester will see the most significant increase in green spaces as new developments continue to expand. The report found that, each year, Birmingham can expect to see the equivalent of 342 football fields of natural habitat secured, Leeds 260 and Manchester 195. Robin McArthur, chair of the Joe’s Blooms advisory board, said: “This analysis demonstrates that biodiversity and nature recovery can be a central part of housing development. It’s important that developers of all sizes are supported to deliver these ambitious targets that will create more green spaces and enhance plants and wildlife.”   English regions   Maximum development (in ha) Total habitat loss avoided Total habitat created   Total habitat secured each year (in football fields) (In ha) (In football fields) (In ha) (In football fields) England 16195 9621 15033 5416 8463 23496 South East 2997 1781 2783 1002 1566 4349 East of England 2089 1241 1939 699 1092 3031 South West 2009 1194 1866 672 1050 2916 East Midlands 1848 1098 1716 618 966 2682 North West 1803 1071 1673 603 942 2615 London 1788 1062 1659 598 934 2593 West Midlands 1574 935 1461 526 822 2283 Yorkshire and the Humber 1454 864 1350 486 759 2109 North East 640 380 594 214 334 928 National Parks 189 112 175 63 98 273   Natural habitat secured by metropolitan areas   Metropolitan district   Maximum development (in ha) Total habitat loss avoided Total habitat created   Total habitat secured each year (in football fields) (In ha) (In football fields) (In ha) (In football fields) Birmingham 235 140 219 79 123 342 Leeds 179 106 166 60 94 260 Manchester 135 80 125 45 70 195 Sheffield 122 72 113 41 64 177 Bradford 94 56 88 31 48 136 Kirklees 90 53 83 30 47 130 Wakefield 88 52 81 29 45 126 Salford 82 49 77 27 42 119 Coventry 81 48 75 27 42 117 Liverpool 75 45 70 25 39 109     To send feedback, e-mail piers.wehner@eg.co.uk or tweet @PiersWehner or @EGPropertyNews Photo by Matt Power/Bav Media/Shutterstock