Every developer now has to answer the same question before a planning application goes anywhere: how will this site deliver biodiversity net gain?
Our BNG habitats are built to answer it – measurable, mapped to the statutory biodiversity metric, and designed to establish reliably whether you’re managing a single small site or a multi-phase development.
Biodiversity net gain is the legal requirement for most new development in England to leave habitat in a measurably better state than it found it. Under the Environment Act 2021, an increase in biodiversity value of at least 10% must be delivered and maintained for at least 30 years, secured through a Section 106 agreement or conservation covenant.
BNG became mandatory for major developments from 12 February 2024, and for small sites from 2 April 2024, under Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Nationally significant infrastructure projects follow from November 2026, extending the same biodiversity net gain rules to the largest consented projects in the country.
The principle behind it is simple: consideration of biodiversity can no longer be an afterthought in planning. It has to be assessed, planned for and evidenced before permission is granted.
Supporting long-term habitat success
BENEFIT
BENEFIT
BENEFIT
A developer working through biodiversity net gain requirements needs three things in place before planning permission is granted:
Local planning authorities won’t discharge the biodiversity gain condition until all three are satisfied, so gain requirements are worth building into a scheme early rather than retrofitting once a layout is fixed.
National planning policy expects biodiversity net gain to be considered from the outset of site design.
Measuring biodiversity value is done using DEFRA’s statutory biodiversity metric tool. An ecologist assesses each habitat on site by type, distinctiveness, condition, connectivity and strategic significance, then does the same for the proposed post-development habitat. The difference between the two, expressed in biodiversity units, is the biodiversity uplift the site is delivering.
This is what makes BNG different from earlier planning obligations around landscaping or green space: it isn’t a judgement call. The biodiversity metric tool produces a number, and that number has to increase by at least 10% to calculate the biodiversity value as compliant.
FAQs
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a way of creating and improving natural habitats. BNG ensures new developments have a positive impact on biodiversity of at least a 10% increase compared to the biodiversity prior to development; it must be maintained for a minimum period of 30 years.
A developer built a housing development where a meadow used to be. The developer must ensure they make up for the impact on that habitat, as well as deliver a 10% increase in biodiversity.
A minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain must be made for at least 30 years, either onsite, offsite or by buying statutory credits as a last resort (this has to be approved).
Classification of the type, distinctiveness, condition, connectivity and strategic significance of habitats by a professional prior to and post development.
BNG credits have a range of prices dependent on the habitat that is being disturbed, they are categorised into low, medium and high habitat distinctiveness (HD), as well as broad and specific habitat type and, finally, tier. Credits start at a cost of £42,000.
Trusted by landscapers, developers, and gardeners across the UK.
Enter your details to access this file