Ecologist Peter Massini says the prescriptiveness of biodiversity net gain (BNG) leaves little “wiggle room”, which means there can be a “disconnect” between this and other policies.

The legislation was introduced one year ago to mandate developers leaving sites 10% better off for nature to offset the impact on ecology and wildlife.

“Because it’s a legal requirement in the policy framework, it becomes one of the most important considerations for a developer and fulfilling local planning policy requirements such as those around sustainable drainage and tree planting almost becomes a secondary consideration because they’re always negotiable,” says Massini.

The director of Future Nature Consulting helped to introduce the Urban Greening Factor (UGF) whilst working for the Greater London Authority. The tool evaluates the quality and quantity of urban greening in a proposed development.

Whilst developers are asked to reach a recommended score, it’s not a legal obligation, and there is flexibility.

In BNG, on the other hand, “the metric…pushes you down particular outcomes or objectives or solutions that don’t always tie in with what might be the optimal solution for both people and biodiversity.”

The ability to negotiate trade offs would help to ensure a better scheme overall, reckons Massini.

Despite a series of loopholes and issues to address with BNG, Massini is not denouncing the legislation. “I’m just saying that to make it wonderful, you’ve got to recognise the flaws and niggles and resolve them.”

Read the full interview with Peter Massini in the February issue of Pro Landscaper.