This form should be used to submit an initial ‘expression of interest’ in creating or enhancing habitats for the purpose of selling biodiversity units.
Where relevant development is unable to achieve the mandatory requirement to deliver a measurable minimum biodiversity net gain of 10% within the development site, it must consider the purchase of biodiversity units from an off-site provider within the local authority district before considering other off-site solutions outside of the district.
The sale of biodiversity units involves a long-term legal commitment of a minimum 30 years, so it is recommended that you read guidance about selling biodiversity units published by the Government before completing the form - Sell biodiversity units as a land manager - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The purpose of this ‘call for expressions of interest’ exercise is to stimulate the market for provision of offsite biodiversity units that will be required to effectively deliver mandatory biodiversity net gain within the Newark and Sherwood District. Also, to help steer the creation and enhancement of the right habitats in the right places, to align with existing policies, and other strategies and objectives.
Once you have submitted this form and a site location plan, we will respond within 10 working days of receipt.
Please note if you have multiple sites please complete a form for each. In our response we will provide a brief initial view regarding the potential suitability of the land you have highlighted and a ‘next steps’ suggestion. The next steps might be further direct engagement with the Council or signposting to other organisations/businesses that could help you. Depending on the level of response received, possible future engagement might involve the provision of workshops and other fact-finding facilities, and which might be in the form of charged services.
Mandatory biodiversity net gain begins on 12 February 2024 for major developments and on 02 April 2024 for ‘small sites’. The need for off-site providers of biodiversity units is therefore expected to develop quickly now. The various processes needed to get to a position of having biodiversity units ready for sale will need several months to complete, so we consider it important to have a relatively short deadline for submission of completed forms. The deadline for submission of ‘expressions of interest’ is therefore 15 March 2024.
Completed forms and a site location plan (including any boundary information being supplied in digital format) should be returned by email to Nick Law (Biodiversity and Ecology Lead Officer) at planningpolicy@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk or by post to Planning Policy, Newark and Sherwood District Council, Castle House, Great North Road, Newark, NG24 1BY.
If you have any queries, please contact Nick via the same email address or by calling (01636) 655333.
Privacy Notice
Any information that is voluntarily submitted through our on-line forms will only be used for the purpose or purposes for which it was intended. All information will be treated in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK General Data Protection Regulation.
Further details on this are available via the following link: Privacy Notice (Opens in a New Window)
