As sustainable development practices evolve, the Small Site Biodiversity Metric (SSM) has become essential for smaller projects. Understanding who can use this tool requires clarity on the concept of a “competent person” – a key figure in the SSM process.
A competent person is someone who “has the knowledge and skills to perform specified tasks to complete and review SSM calculations.” This competence can be obtained through training, qualifications, experience, or a combination of these.
Key Capabilities
The SSM requires that a competent person must first be able to confidently identify habitats present on the site before development. Additionally, they must identify management requirements for habitats that will be created or enhanced. They should be able to recognise habitats likely to occur in a given geographic location at the time of survey.
In particular, Natural England has stated that project managers and architects can often serve as competent persons for many small sites, thereby broadening the range of professionals who can contribute to biodiversity net gain efforts.
Understanding the Small Site Biodiversity Metric
The SSM is a simplified version of the Biodiversity Metric 3.1, designed specifically for smaller developments. It measures “biodiversity units” before and after a development project, based on habitat type, size, condition, and location. The core principle is simple: achieving biodiversity net gain by creating more habitats or improving existing ones.
The SSM process follows three essential steps. First, measuring existing site biodiversity units; second, calculating expected post-development biodiversity units; and third, comparing the two to determine net gain. A competent person is crucial in each step, needing to accurately identify and assess existing habitats, understand development impacts, and propose appropriate mitigation measures.
Pathways to Competence
The Biodiversity Net Gain Tool allow eligible professionals to demonstrate competence through training, qualifications, or experience. Becoming competent typically involves a combination of specialised training courses, practical experience in landscape design or ecological surveys, and relevant qualifications in the field.
If you (or someone in your team) would like to undertake a course to demonstrate that you are a “competent” person, the following online courses are available for free, each providing completion certificates. These are divided into two main categories:
Short Courses (1-5 hours)
Introducing the environment: Ecology and ecosystems, Open University Online Course, (5-hour course)
Neighbourhood Nature, Open University Online Course, (1-hour course)
Managing coastal environments, Open University Online Course, (3-hour course)
Longer Courses (12-24 hours)
Introduction to ecosystems, Open University Online Course, (12-hour course)
Practising science: Reading the rocks and ecology, Open University Online Course, (14-hour course)
Citizen science and global biodiversity, Open University Online Course, (24-hour course)
Conclusion
Fundamentally, the role of competent persons is vital to successful biodiversity assessments, ensuring accuracy, compliance, sustainability, and accessibility for smaller projects. Moreover, the Small Site Biodiversity Metric’s inclusive approach to defining competent persons, coupled with accessible training options, has made biodiversity considerations more achievable across various development projects.
Consequently, for project managers, architects, and other professionals involved in small-scale developments, understanding and embracing the competent person role is essential.
As sustainable development gains prominence, those who develop these skills through available training opportunities will be well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to environmental preservation. This approach not only ensures regulatory compliance but also helps create more sustainable, biodiverse communities for the future.