Midsomer Norton Town Council has heard from Miriam Warner, on behalf of Somer Valley Rediscovered, which is led by B&NES Council, B&NES Public Health, Wessex Water and Natural England, on the subject of biodiversity net gain (BNG).

BNG is expected to become law in Autumn 2023 and affects planning, an approach to housing development that aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than it was beforehand. B&NES Council is hoping to implement this a year early, by this Autumn, driven by its declaration of a Climate and Ecological Emergency. This is not unprecedented, other local authorities are doing this.

The idea is to increase the amount of biodiversity by 10% and if it cannot be done on site, will be done elsewhere within the area, with Town and Parish Councils nominating land. Developer money will also mean that the areas nominated should be managed for thirty years.

A national public register of sites is currently taking place through DEFRA, which closes on 5th April this year.

Areas identified locally at present are Midsomer Norton Town Park, open space at Staddlestones, Midsomer Norton, Wellow Brook, Waterside Valley in Westfield and Haydon Batch.

These areas will then be mapped in biodiversity net gain units and income calculated, so developers could buy units, with the local authority (B&NES Council), responsible for making sure the area is managed properly and the developer keeps up with contributions.