Biodiversity Net Gain

Biodiversity Net Gain, or BNG, is a mandatory planning approach in England that requires developers to deliver a minimum 10% increase in biodiversity value compared to pre-development levels. Our extensive rural client base is uniquely positioned to deliver nature-restoration projects and open valuable revenue streams by generating BNG units. Our specialists support clients throughout these ecological projects, from impact assessment through to diversification implementation.

Biodiversity Net Gain services

Strategic advice and assessment

Landowners with underused or lower-value land have a significant opportunity to generate BNG units through habitat creation, restoration, or enhancement. Our specialists work with third-party ecology partners to complete assessments of the ecological condition of your current habits, carry out commercial forecasting for a project and create a business strategy to maximise the value of any existing or potential natural assets. We’ll assess local nature recovery priorities, guide you through tax and land value implications, and advise on project duration, agreement terms, and commitments.

Habitat bank creation and management

Our specialists offer expert advice throughout every stage of habitat bank creation and management, including guidance on health and safety considerations and business planning. We offer hands-on environmental project management support to create habitats that meet biodiversity standards, including coordinating contractors and managing physical habitat creation. We can also provide full operational support to monitor and maintain your habitat bank for the mandatory minimum of 30 years.

Biodiversity Net Gain unit brokerage

BNG units are units of measurable biodiversity improvement, typically categorised as land-based habitats (such as grasslands and wetlands), hedgerow units, or watercourses. They must often be traded like-for-like to replace specific habitats lost during development projects.

Our specialist teams can help broker these BNG units, matching landowners looking to sell units with businesses seeking to buy them to offset biodiversity loss from infrastructure or development projects. We also offer a buying mandate service for developers, including those with rare habitat needs or large-scale projects, and can approach landowners to create new units if none exist that meet your requirements.

We can also advise on the potential for stacking natural capital benefits, providing landowners with an opportunity to sell distinct, additional ecosystem services from the same holding.

A legacy to last generations

We are proud to work with the most progressive farmers and landowners who view sustainability not just as a tick-box exercise, but as a way to strengthen their legacy. We work with clients to ensure their land has a positive, lasting impact on future generations. If you’re ready to reduce your ecological impact, improve your land’s biodiversity and strengthen your legacy, get in touch today.