Biodiversity Net Gain Supplementary Planning Document

​​Nottinghamshire County Council adopted the Biodiversity Net Gain Supplementary Planning Document on 15 September 2025.

The adopted supplementary planning document (SPD) and supporting documents are available on this page. Paper versions can be viewed during normal opening hours at County Hall, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7QP.

Why has a Biodiversity Net Gain Supplementary Planning Document been adopted?

Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) provide detailed guidance on specific aspects of planning policy and are a material consideration in determining planning applications.

The Biodiversity Net Gain SPD sets out how the County Council will apply national legislation and local planning policies to ensure that all qualifying developments deliver measurable improvements for biodiversity. It provides clear guidance for applicants on how to achieve the statutory minimum 10% biodiversity net gain, while also reflecting Nottinghamshire’s shared aspiration for 20% net gain where feasible.

The SPD supports the delivery of the Nottinghamshire Plan ambitions for green growth, sustainability and protecting the environment. It also supports Policy SP2 of the adopted Minerals Local Plan and Policy DM5 of the Joint Waste Local Plan.

The SPD builds on Nottinghamshire’s strong track record of biodiversity-led restoration at former mineral sites and provides practical guidance to help applicants design and deliver development that enhances habitats, supports nature recovery, and contributes to the county’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Nottinghamshire and Nottingham BNG Framework

The development of the SPD was informed by the Nottinghamshire and Nottingham BNG Framework [PDF]. The framework was developed by a partnership of all Nottinghamshire’s Local Planning Authorities (LPAs), Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group, Natural England and the Environment Agency, in advance of the publication of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

The purpose of the framework is to set out a shared aspiration across all LPAs in the county reflecting the need to restore Nottinghamshire’s habitats. The approved SPD takes precedence over the framework, but it has been included here for reference, as it is cited in the SPD.