Mandatory Introduction of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
What is Biodiversity Net Gain?
From 12th February 2024, developers in England will be legally required to deliver at least a 10% “Biodiversity Net Gain” (BNG) on new housing, industrial or commercial developments. This means that each development must leave nature in a better state than it was found by creating and improving wildlife habitats and maintaining them for 30 years. This should be delivered on-site within developments where possible, but if it isn't developers can "offset" their BNG by paying nearby landowners to deliver habitat creation and enhancement works on their land instead. BNG is a way of creating and improving natural habitats. BNG makes sure development has a measurably positive impact (‘net gain’) on biodiversity, compared to what was there before development.
Leigh Ecology Services for developers and LPAs
Assessing the biodiversity impact and offset requirements of developments using the Defra Metric.
Identify local offsetting projects that fulfil the client’s BNG needs
Mediating contract agreements with offset providers.
Preparing all paperwork required by the local planning authority to ensure full legal compliance.
For the purposes of BNG, biodiversity is measured in standardised biodiversity units.
A habitat will contain a number of biodiversity units, depending on things like its:
size , quality , location , type
Biodiversity units can be lost through development or generated through work to create and enhance habitats. There is a statutory (official) biodiversity metric, which is a way of measuring:
how many units a habitat contains before development
how many units are needed to replace the units of habitat lost and to achieve 10% BNG
You need to know about the new rules if you’re a:
developer of:
major developments when BNG becomes mandatory
small sites from April 2024
nationally significant infrastructure projects from late November 2025
land manager wanting to sell in the BNG market
local planning authority (LPA)
There are 3 ways a developer can achieve 10% BNG:
They can enhance and restore biodiversity on-site (within the red line boundary of a development site).
If developers can only achieve part of their BNG on-site, they can deliver through a mixture of on-site and off-site. Developers can either make off-site biodiversity gains on their own land outside the development site, or buy off-site biodiversity units on the market.
If developers cannot achieve on-site or off-site BNG, they must buy statutory biodiversity credits from the government. This must be a last resort. The government will use the revenue to invest in habitat creation in England.
Developers can combine all 3 options, but must follow the steps in order. This order of steps is called the biodiversity gain hierarchy.
We will be working closely with Local Planning Authorities (LPA) and Planners to ensure your project is fully BNG compliant. At Leigh Ecology we understand that there are still many questions around BNG and whether it affects your development projects. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your projects.