River Condition Assessment

River Condition Assessment (RCA) surveys collect and measure a river's biodiversity value prior to development of both the existing and proposed site in line with the regulations of the new Environment Act.

Following Royal Assent of the Environment Act 2021, it will be a requirement that all developments in England achieve at least a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). This law will help to ensure that developers leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than it was beforehand. Some local authorities have already adopted this requirement into their planning policies.

In order to do this, developers need to quantify the anticipated impact of the development on habitats and show how they can provide an increase in natural habitat and ecological features over and above that affected by the development.

Rivers and streams are considered separately within BNG assessments due to their unique ecological functions and habitats they provide. If any part of a river, or its riparian zone (typically considered 10m from the bank), lies within a development site, enhancements will be required under the new mandate.

Our ecologists in Cambridge, Oxford and London are accredited to carry out thorough RCA surveys in order to collect and measure a river's biodiversity values prior to development of both the existing and proposed site. They can help assess any impacts from the proposed development and suggest restoration techniques and enhancements to habitats to help developers achieve BNG for rivers.

Aside from rivers we also provide extensive knowledge and expertise in BNG assessments within terrestrial habitats. Our biodiversity enhancement advice and guidance may help to avoid high compensation requirements by increasing the overall state of biodiversity by 10% and enhancing habitats in the process.

Find out more about how our BNG services can help you – call us to discuss or email info@mkaecology.co.uk

Project Examples

Example of a Biodiversity Net Gain projects.