Use of the GNCF will help to reduce the additional resource needed by Planning Authorities to administer new Biodiversity Net Gain legislation. The GNCF will take responsibility for parts of the process such as establishing available BNG units, site design, brokering sales and registration.

The GNCF will also support Planning Authorities in finding opportunities to deliver BNG on their own land holdings, ensuring that where possible multiple environmental benefits are delivered. Trees that are planted by GNCF will count towards Gloucestershire’s commitment to plant 1million trees.

The GNCF will operate a county-wide BNG unit database, so that sales, monitoring and maintenance can be tracked and registered as per the legislation requirements and shared on request with LAs in the appropriate format. We will work with Planning Authorities and the GLNP to ensure that BNG units support the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and Green Infrastructure strategies and keep funds from BNG in the local economy and the gains of nature recovery in Gloucestershire.

The GNCF is backed by the GLNP and Gfirst LEP and will run a transparent operating policy and best practice in BNG application.