Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments
For any new development, developers are required, wherever possible, to protect existing habitats and ecosystems. To ensure that any habitat loss is identified and mitigated in the early planning stages means that developers will need to carry out specialist site surveys and assessments by licenced ecologists.
As of 12th February 2024, it is now a legal requirement for developers to deliver 10% biodiversity net gain (BNG) in new developments. This is expected to impact over 100,000 planning applications annually and is considered one of the most significant changes to planning in over 30 years.
Ecology by Design are one of the market leading Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) ecology consultancies and have a wealth of experience helping clients comply with the new legislation.
Work with licensed and experienced ecologists
We are a team of licenced ecologists and biodiversity net gain experts who have years of experience in delivering concise and clear results for developers looking to achieve biodiversity net gain.
Our ecological services for biodiversity net gain assessments include:
Biodiversity net gain consultation
Initial habitat surveys, comprised of:
Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) if required
Biodiversity net gain calculation of development land
Biodiversity net gain calculation of offsite land, (if applicable)
Appraisal of multiple sites to secure the most efficient solution
Identification of suitable offsetting sites
Estate plans to secure the sale of biodiversity credits
30-year habitat management plans
Liaison with planning authorities, estate owners and other stakeholders
Complete end-to-end solution for habitat banking
Ecology by Design can offer various services to support you through the process, with a balanced approach to ensure the best outcome for you and the environment. We work efficiently to provide you with expert advice and the best possible plan to ensure that all legal requirements are met with your development.
What is biodiversity net gain?
Biodiversity Net Gain is the name given to a process of biodiversity offsetting whereby any habitat loss caused by a new development is mitigated to ensure an overall increase in biodiversity post-development. As part of initial development plans, developers are increasingly required to demonstrate that biodiversity loss is mitigated. To establish the best way to protect the habitats on-site, a metric is used. To achieve biodiversity net gain, a development must show evidence that a development will increase the biodiversity value of a site by at least 10%. This statistic is presented in the value of a biodiversity net gain metric called ‘biodiversity units’.
If habitats and ecological value cannot be added to the site itself, then mitigation plans must be put into place to ensure habitats. This can be achieved either by enhancing the on-site biodiversity or creating new habitats elsewhere.
How to calculate Biodiversity Net Gain
A biodiversity impact assessment can be completed utilising one of a few different metrics.
Natural England’s Biodiversity Metric (current version 3.0), is the most widely used.
For every habitat within a site, the metric assesses:
Distinctiveness – this includes species richness, diversity, rarity and whether it supports species rarely found in other habitats
Condition – the quality of the habitat
Connectivity – how connected the habitat is to other similar habitats
Strategic Significance – whether the habitat occurs within an ecologically desirable area and has been identified by a local strategy as such.
biodiversity net gain faqS
Biodiversity net gain guidance for landowners: FAQ
+ Is biodiversity net gain mandatory?
Yes. It is now a legal requirement for developers to deliver 10% biodiversity net gain (BNG) in new developments in England. There are only limited exemptions including developments that affect less than 25 square metres (5m by 5m) of on-site habitat or 5 metres of on-site linear habitats such as hedgerows, and developments of no more than 9 dwellings on a site that has an area no larger than 0.5 hectares.
+ how much could i make?
The actual revenue can vary widely depending on factors such as your land type, area available, geography, land values and market requirements. However, it could approximately be between £60k to £300k per hectare.
+ what will it cost me?
The costs for landowners will vary but are likely to include the following at different stages:
- Ecologist fee for land assessment, BNG calculation and 30 years of monitoring
- Offset Broker fee for selling credits
- Council fee for approving agreement
- Fee for creation and management of habitats (if can't be done by you) The initial cost for you is simply the land assessment and BNG calculation which start at approximately £850.
+ what is my commitment?
Initially there is no committment from you other than allowing a survey to take place. Once an agreement has been signed and the offsetting credits sold you will agree to create the habitats on site and manage them for 30 years.
+ How do I sell the credits?
This is a new process and hence the sales process is still being designed, however there are some providers currently commercially available to broker deals. Discuss this with your ecologist to identify the best option.
+ can I combine this with other funding?
Unfortunately at present combining BNG credit sales with other sorts of funding i.e. carbon credits, are not allowed due to it being considered 'double counting'.
+ what happens next?
Engage with an ecologist to talk you through the process and to discuss a site assessment.
Biodiversity net gain guidance for developers: FAQ
+ Is biodiversity net gain mandatory?
The Environment Act 2021 became law in November 2021. For part of this we entered into a two-year transitionary period for biodiversity net gain to be rolled out. BNG is not yet legally required until secondary legislation is released, however many local authorities are amending their planning polciy to include it, making it a planning requirement now.
+ Am I exempt?
Current types of development that are exempt are:
- permitted development
- householder applications
- development of specific types of ownership that may be disproportionately impacted by the requirement (such as residential self-build); and
- brown-field sites that meet specific criteria.
- nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs); and
- irreplaceable habitat sites such as ancient woodland.
+ What will it cost me?
The actual offset cost can vary widely depending on factors such as your land type, area available, geography, land values and market requirements. However, it could approximately be between £60k to £300k per hectare.
+ How do i find an offset provider?
This is a new process and hence the sales process is still being designed, however there are some providers currently commercially available to broker deals. Discuss this with your ecologist to identify the best option.
+ how long will it take?
The work can be undertaken relatvely quickly however it will require:
- ecology survey of your site and BNG calculation;
- ecologist produces a biodiversity management plan;
- Work with broker to agree value of credits and agree contract with offset provider;
- submit BNG details with planning application; and
- Prior to development starting, full payment is made either via broker or direct to offset provider.
+ what is my commitment?
You commit to engage with an ecologist to assess BNG and either mitigate onsite for any BNG loss or to agree to offset offsite via an offset provider.
+ What happens next?
Engage with an ecologist to talk you through the process and to discuss a site assessment.