Biodiversity
Net Gain UK
Work with our network of licensed ecologists and biodiversity net gain experts who have years of experience in delivering concise and clear results for developers, landowners, local planning authorities, looking to achieve biodiversity net gain or purchase high quality BNG credits.
We also help other environmental consultancies - as ecologists are a rare breed, we like to help out the rest of our tribe.
About
Our Team Ethos
Our hand picked network of experts are based around the country to provide advice routed in the local context. Our experts are more seasoned than most, choosing to work with us so they can spend more time doing what they love - working in nature with clients. That means you get people that care about nature, people who are not box tickers - this is important:
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Taking care to do the right thing for the local context is good for your brand, your community and your soul. Biodiversity Net Gain is a long term commitment that will provide fundamental resources for the nation's children and grandchildren helping to improve our biodiverse depleted country. As such, our team of experts take great pride in providing high quality solutions that we can all be proud of.
What is Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)?
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Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a strategy aimed at ensuring that development projects leave natural habitats in a better state than they were before. In England, BNG is mandated by the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as updated by the Environment Act 2021. Under these rules, developers must ensure a 10% improvement in biodiversity.
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Who is Affected by BNG Rules?
The BNG regulations impact:
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Major development developers
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Small site developers (from April 2, 2024)
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Developers of nationally significant infrastructure projects (from November 2025)
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Land managers looking to sell in the BNG market
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Local planning authorities (LPAs)
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Achieving BNG
To achieve BNG, developers must avoid or minimize negative impacts on biodiversity during site selection and layout planning. They must deliver a 10% net gain, measured by the statutory biodiversity metric. There are three main methods to achieve this:
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On-Site Biodiversity Creation: Developers enhance biodiversity within the development site boundaries.
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Off-Site Biodiversity Gains: If on-site gains are insufficient, developers can create biodiversity enhancements on other land they own or buy biodiversity units from the market.
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Biodiversity Credits: As a last resort, developers can purchase biodiversity credits from the government, which will invest the funds in habitat creation across England.
Developers can combine these methods, but they must follow a specific order known as the biodiversity gain hierarchy.
Habitat Creation and Maintenance
Landowners are responsible for creating or improving habitats and managing them for at least 30 years to meet the target condition. This responsibility applies whether they make on-site gains or sell off-site gains. If developers buy off-site units, they are essentially paying the land manager to maintain the land for the specified period.
By following these guidelines, developers can contribute to enhancing biodiversity, ensuring that development projects positively impact the environment.
If you prefer a short video explainer of Biodiversity net gain, take a look at these short explainers:
SERVICES
Biodiversity net gain consultation
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Biodiversity net gain consultation
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Initial habitat surveys, including:
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Preliminary Ecological Appraisal
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Ecological Impact Assessment (is needed)
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Biodiversity net gain calculation of development land
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Biodiversity net gain calculation of offsite land, (if applicable)
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Appraisal of several sites options to gain the most efficient solution
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Identification of high quality offsetting sites
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Estate plans for the sale of biodiversity credits
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30-year habitat management plans
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Liaison with planning authorities, estate owners and other stakeholders
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Complete end-to-end solution for habitat banking
PARTNERSHIPS
Biodiversity-Net-Gain-UK partners with Insta Associates, a consultancy whose mission is to collaborate with fellow problem solvers in crafting a brighter, more sustainable future.​ This partnership enables Biodiversity-Net-Gain-UK to:
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Develop technology solutions to support more effective and efficient Biodiversity Net Gain services.
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Work on landscape scale ‘green’ innovation projects that link stakeholders across the value chain.
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Use the wonderful brain power of Insta Associates diverse team, from ecologists, regenerative agriculturalists, GIS and sensor experts +
Insta Associates has been heavily involved Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund through its work with grant recipient Hill Stone Wood.
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Click here to see some of the amazing pioneering work at Insta Associates to help make our economy more aligned with the needs of nature and communities.