GNCF – Gloucestershire Nature + Climate Fund

Funding a Resilient,
nature-rich Gloucestershire

The Gloucestershire Nature + Climate Fund

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an approach to new development that aims to leave nature in a measurably better state than it was found.

Mandatory biodiversity net gain legislation came into place in February 2024 and is now a general condition of all Town and Country Planning Act developments. This means that every new development over 25m2 (unless exempt) is required to demonstrate that it is able to create a biodiversity net gain of at least 10%. The required habitat creation or enhancement should take place on the development site where possible or offsite, by securing units from a registered offsite BNG scheme. Developments will have to show how the biodiversity net gains will be achieved to obtain planning permission.

Biodiversity net gain is one of the biggest changes to planning regulations in decades and its rules are complex. The Gloucestershire Nature and Climate Fund is a not-for-profit organisation established to support Developers, Landowners and Local Planning Authorities through the process and provide offsite biodiversity net gain units.

The GNCF was established by the Gloucestershire Local Nature Partnership (GLNP) and the GFirst Local Enterprise Partnership. The GLNP is backed by Gloucestershire’s Local Authorities who fund and partner the initiative, as well as around 30 nature-based bodies from the county. The GNCF works to ensure that nature is replaced strategically across the county according to best ecological evidence. The GNCF will administer funds from BNG sales to support the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, enable improvement of green spaces within Gloucestershire’s urban centres and restore nature at a larger scale in rural areas.

The Gloucestershire Nature and Climate Fund (GNCF) will ensure that:

Developers have a simple risk-free way of meeting the biodiversity net gain challenge

The right projects for the right places are connected

Landowners diversify their income and are able to deliver environmental improvements

Nature restoration is delivered strategically across Gloucestershire

Reaping the benefits of our natural environment

Gloucestershire’s natural environment provides the local economy with benefits of half a billion pounds per year in free services[1] such as the reduction of flooding, clean drinking water, reduced air pollution and recreation. The GNCF will keep these benefits in Gloucestershire where they contribute to the local economy and the wellbeing of residents.

[1] Environment Agency Natural Capital Register and Account Tool V.1 (2021)

Developers

We can support your business requirements with risk-free, off-site credits that benefit the local area

Landowners

For landowners in Gloucestershire who want to diversify their income, reduce climate impacts and enhance nature on their estate

Planning Authorities

The GNCF will ensure that the Planning Authority is ‘offsite BNG ready’ with suitable receptor sites prepared for winter 2023