Biodiversity Net Gain is an approach which aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than before, by ensuring that more habitat is created following development than is destroyed. But much of Norfolk's wildlife depends on mature and established habitat, and will not be able to survive in areas of new habitat, even if the areas are larger.
Conservation Officer at Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Mike Jones, says:
"We estimate that the western link road will include the permanent loss of between three and four hectares of woodland. The mature trees in this woodland provide features such as holes and bark gaps, which form a key roosting habitat for the local bat population. The rarity of the species present means that this woodland is likely to be of national importance.
"A new woodland planted to meet the net gain targets adopted would fail to provide replacement bat roost sites and therefore would not mitigate or compensate for the losses. This would be compounded by the disconnection of the remaining areas, leaving them more vulnerable to local extinction."