Three Rivers LPA BNG

Three Rivers, located in southwest Hertfordshire, is a predominantly rural district with a mix of small towns, villages, and green belt land. Covering approximately 88 square kilometres, the district derives its name from the rivers Chess, Colne, and Gade that shape its landscape and ecological character.

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Under the Environment Act 2021, Three Rivers District Council requires that most new developments deliver a minimum of 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). This can be achieved via on-site habitat creation, off-site biodiversity units, or investment in habitat banks, particularly within the district’s extensive green infrastructure network.

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Three Rivers spans parts of two National Character Areas: Chilterns and Northern Thames Basin. These NCAs support a range of habitats including ancient woodlands, wet meadows, chalk streams, and hedgerow networks. Much of the district is designated as Metropolitan Green Belt, which places a strong emphasis on conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services.

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BNG implementation in Three Rivers requires careful integration with the district’s landscape-scale ecological strategies, including Local Wildlife Sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), and protected river corridors. Early ecological input and robust habitat assessments are critical for meaningful delivery.

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Our team supports developers, planners, and landowners in Three Rivers with BNG assessments, habitat baselining, metric calculations, and access to local BNG unit providers.

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To receive updates or discuss BNG schemes within the district, feel free to get in touch.