As it's an existing driveway, that isn't a 'habitat'
OP clears states, The path will cover part existing tarmac and part verge. There will be biodiversity in the verge.
BNG does not apply only to new developments. The rules apply broadly to most types of development that require planning, including some brownfield projects and smaller schemes.
Nor is it petty bureaucracy. It’s law meant specifically to protect our environment.
While 25 metres may seems a small area to some, it is five times the amenity space required for 1-2 person dwellings in London and the same as apartment buildings elsewhere. For a 2 bedroom new-build, the size of garden required is usually 40-50 sq m. While most domestic dwellings are exempt from mandatory BNG requirements, think what would happen to biodiversity if everybody decided to concrete over their green space or cover it in plastic grass.
Just one square metre of natural land can host 20 to 40 plant species and dozens of species of insects and other arthropods. Removing that land creates "sterile" environments that lack the insects, worms, and seeds that ground-feeding birds need to survive. Worms are a crucial part of the diet of foxes too. So while the verge might appear to lack biodiversity it may host and be supporting a variety of wildlife.
All BNG requires is a net gain of 10%. If the verge in this case is not believed to have much biodiversity then there won’t be much to do to increase it by 10%, will it?
Our own community hall area has become a more pleasant place to visit since this legislation, as every piece of hard landscaping since has required compensating changes to meet BNG requirements. More dedicated parking spaces for people with disabilities, spaces for charging electric vehicles and overnight camping for RVs, a children’s play area, slides, swings and mini-cycle track, a MUGA installation, basketball, table tennis, fitness machines. All deemed necessary to meet the needs of the community but we can’t keep concreting over green space for our own physical needs and entertainment without compensatory biodiversity projects.
To that end, we now have a small woodland, a wildflower meadow, a wildlife pond, planters, bird-feeders, beehives and new trees. The latter were sponsored by local families with young children and tagged with their names. Now it’s an annual event for the growing child to be photographed by its growing tree.
All these projects, including the BNG surveys, were funded by local grants. Footfall has increased as a result of these changes, so there are now more bookings for the hall as well as the various clubs and activities that take place regularly there. More people attend our weekly coffee mornings and lunch club for older people as they now take the time to explore and enjoy the grounds which prior to this were mostly football pitches (never all used at the same time and two remain) and some hedgerow. Now it serves a variety of sports and children’s activities as well as quieter spaces alive with green growth and wildlife.
The particular hall subject to this enquiry may not have that kind of space but surely there is enough for a few enhancements that would make up the 10% BNG gain required.
