The introduction of mandatory biodiversity net gain requirements has highlighted the need for confidence building and training across local authority planning departments, says the Field Studies Council
Local authorities across England are turning to specialist environmental training to address knowledge gaps in implementing the new biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements, with nearly half of all group training enquiries coming from the local government sector.
Figures from the Field Studies Council (FSC) show that 47% of BNG course enquiries in 2024 came from local authorities, while a further 23% originated from landscape architects, developers and planning consultants – highlighting a significant sector-wide training need for specialist knowledge.
Since mandatory BNG came into effect in February 2024, the environmental education charity has been delivering targeted training to help planning departments understand
the metric, interpret reports and implement the new requirements, which mandate a minimum 10% improvement in biodiversity post developments in England.
A bespoke training programme tailored for Worcestershire’s county and district councils has demonstrated how targeted training can support planning teams in achieving biodiversity net gains targets.
Attended by approximately 50 staff, including development management planners, policy planners, legal, property, countryside and biodiversity officers, the course focused on practical implementation challenges such as securing BNG through Section 106 agreements and integrating requirements with local development plans.
Building confidence in planning departments
“Through our conversations with clients, what became apparent quite quickly when the new legislation was introduced was a definite need for more confidence building and training to support the practical application of the metric for planners, developers and landowners,” said Clare Rooney from the Field Studies Council.
“Within the first week of the laws coming into effect, more than 300 professionals had booked onto our introductory courses and since launching our BNG courses we have trained hundreds of professionals.
“The bespoke training programmes like the one developed in partnership with Worcestershire’s county and district councils have been very effective in building confidence in planning departments and we are in talks with other local authorities in England to deliver more training.”
Understanding ‘good’ BNG
Cody Levine from Worcestershire County Council said: “The Field Studies Council’s training has been invaluable in helping our planning teams understand and implement the new biodiversity net gain requirements.
“The tailored programme gave our team practical knowledge about securing BNG and integrating it with local development plans.
“Particularly valuable was the focus on building confidence in reviewing submissions and understanding what ‘good’ BNG looks like.
“The training has helped us take a much more integrated approach, considering BNG alongside environmental factors such as sustainable urban drainage systems and other well-designed green infrastructure assets.”
The Field Studies Council has been educating and training on environmental issues for more than 80 years. It offers a range of courses, with over 80 topics related to biodiversity,
as well as bespoke, tailored programmes for organisations.
Mandatory 10% BNG was introduced in February 2024 to ensure wildlife habitats are improved by a minimum of 10% post-development in England.
The charity believes its work will help the sector meet the BNG target and make meaningful strides in nature recovery in the future.
Courses offered by the Field Studies Council include:
- Discovering the Biodiversity Metric.
- Biodiversity Net Gain for Reviewers.
- Biodiversity Net Gain for Assessors.
- Habitat surveying: Using UKHab.
- Introduction to Biodiversity Awareness.
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