Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments
Professional Biodiversity Net Gain support for planning applications and development projects throughout England. We coordinate habitat surveys, biodiversity metric calculations, Biodiversity Gain Plans, habitat strategies and the specialist ecological information required to demonstrate how a development will achieve its applicable biodiversity gain objective.
Professional Biodiversity Net Gain Support
Biodiversity Net Gain, commonly known as BNG, is an approach to development that aims to leave natural habitats in a measurably better condition than they were before the development took place.
For applicable development in England, the proposal will normally need to achieve at least a 10% increase in biodiversity value compared with the pre-development habitat baseline. The calculation is completed using the applicable statutory biodiversity metric.
One Stop Consult can coordinate suitably experienced ecologists to complete the required habitat assessment, calculate the biodiversity units and help develop a practical strategy for achieving the required uplift.
BNG Services We Can Coordinate
The required scope will depend on the size of the development, habitats present, planning route and proposed method of delivering the biodiversity gain.
Baseline Habitat Assessment
Survey and classification of the habitats present within the development site before work begins, including their extent, type, distinctiveness and condition.
Biodiversity Metric Calculation
Calculation of the site’s pre-development and proposed post-development biodiversity values using the appropriate statutory biodiversity metric.
BNG Design Advice
Advice on retaining, enhancing and creating habitats within the development to help achieve the required biodiversity uplift.
Biodiversity Gain Plans
Preparation and coordination of the information required to demonstrate how the development will meet its biodiversity gain objective.
Habitat Management Plans
Habitat creation, establishment, maintenance and monitoring measures for significant habitats delivered as part of the BNG strategy.
Off-Site Gain Coordination
Support where the required biodiversity units cannot be achieved entirely within the development boundary and an off-site solution may be required.
What Does Biodiversity Net Gain Measure?
Biodiversity Net Gain is measured using habitat as a proxy for biodiversity. The metric converts habitat information into biodiversity units that can be compared before and after development.
The assessment considers more than the total area of habitat. The type, condition, location and difficulty of creating or restoring the proposed habitat can all affect the final calculation.
Projects We Can Assist With
BNG requirements can apply to a wide range of planning applications and development sites in England.
New-Build Homes
Biodiversity calculations and planning support for individual dwellings, replacement homes and residential infill projects.
Housing Developments
BNG assessment, habitat design and long-term management planning for multi-unit residential developments.
Commercial Developments
Support for offices, retail premises, hospitality buildings, industrial developments and business parks.
Mixed-Use Developments
Biodiversity strategies for sites containing a combination of residential, commercial and community uses.
Brownfield Redevelopment
Habitat assessment for previously developed land, including sites where valuable habitats may have established naturally.
Planning Condition Support
Preparation of habitat, management and monitoring information required before development begins or as part of the Biodiversity Gain Plan process.
The Biodiversity Gain Hierarchy
The BNG strategy should not begin by simply purchasing biodiversity units elsewhere. Development proposals are expected to follow the applicable biodiversity gain hierarchy.
This means first considering how adverse effects on important on-site habitats can be avoided. Where impacts cannot be avoided, they should be reduced and suitable on-site habitat enhancements should be considered.
Registered off-site biodiversity gains and statutory biodiversity credits may be considered where the required uplift cannot be achieved through an appropriate on-site solution.
How the Required BNG Can Be Achieved
A development may use one or a combination of delivery methods, subject to the statutory requirements and acceptance by the Local Planning Authority.
On-Site Habitat Enhancement
Retaining, improving or creating habitat within the planning application boundary, such as grassland, woodland, scrub, hedgerows, ponds or other suitable habitat types.
Registered Off-Site Gains
Securing biodiversity units from a suitable off-site habitat project where the development cannot achieve its full requirement within the application site.
Statutory Biodiversity Credits
Purchasing statutory credits may be considered as a final option where the necessary units cannot be delivered through appropriate on-site or registered off-site habitat gains.
How the BNG Assessment Process Works
The assessment normally begins with a review of the proposed development and an ecological survey of the existing site habitats.
Send the Project Details
Provide the site address, red-line boundary, proposed layout, planning reference and any existing ecological information.
Habitat Survey
A suitably experienced ecologist surveys and records the habitat types and their condition within the site.
Metric Calculation
The pre-development baseline and proposed post-development biodiversity values are calculated.
Design and Mitigation
The proposed landscaping and habitat measures are reviewed to achieve an appropriate biodiversity outcome.
Reporting and Submission
The completed metric and supporting documents are prepared for the relevant planning stage.
Information Usually Required
Providing clear site and development information helps establish the correct survey scope and prepare an accurate quotation.
Site Address
The full development address, postcode and details of the land included within the proposal.
Red-Line Boundary
A clear location or site plan showing the full planning application boundary.
Proposed Site Layout
The proposed buildings, roads, parking, gardens, landscaping, drainage features and retained open space.
Description of Development
Details of the proposed project, number of units, site area and current planning stage.
Existing Ecological Reports
Any previous habitat surveys, Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, protected-species surveys or ecological advice.
Planning Information
The planning reference, pre-application advice, validation requirements and correspondence from the Local Planning Authority.
Establishing the Pre-Development Baseline
The biodiversity baseline records the habitat value of the site before the development takes place. It is essential that the habitat information accurately reflects the site at the relevant assessment date.
The ecologist identifies and maps the habitat parcels, assesses their condition and records relevant linear habitats, such as hedgerows and watercourses.
The results are entered into the applicable statutory metric to calculate the site’s existing biodiversity-unit value.
Designing Biodiversity into the Development
BNG should form part of the development design rather than being treated as an exercise completed after the layout has been finalised.
The most suitable measures will depend on the existing habitats, site conditions, development type and long-term management arrangements.
Small Development Sites
Some eligible smaller developments may be assessed using the statutory small-sites metric rather than the full statutory biodiversity metric.
The small-sites metric is intended to provide a proportionate approach for qualifying developments, but it is not suitable for every site or habitat type.
The development, site area, habitats present and applicable exemptions should be reviewed before deciding which assessment route is appropriate.
Habitat Management and Monitoring
Significant on-site habitat enhancements and registered off-site biodiversity gains normally need to be appropriately secured, managed and monitored for a minimum period of 30 years.
A Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan can set out the habitat objectives, establishment works, maintenance regime, monitoring programme and responsibilities for long-term delivery.
The plan should provide a practical framework for ensuring that the habitats reach their target type and condition within the timescales used in the biodiversity metric.
Biodiversity Gain Plans
Where the statutory biodiversity gain condition applies, development generally cannot begin until a Biodiversity Gain Plan has been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority.
The plan demonstrates how the development will achieve the required biodiversity gain objective and should be supported by the completed metric and relevant habitat information.
Off-Site Biodiversity Units
Where the required uplift cannot be achieved entirely within the development site, it may be possible to secure registered biodiversity gains from another location.
The number of off-site units required will depend on the development shortfall, habitat types, location and the applicable metric rules.
Off-site habitat must be secured through an appropriate legal mechanism and recorded on the biodiversity gain sites register before it can be allocated to a development.
BNG Does Not Replace Other Ecology Requirements
Biodiversity Net Gain is separate from the legal and planning requirements relating to protected species, designated sites and irreplaceable habitats.
A development may therefore require additional ecological surveys, mitigation measures or licences even where the biodiversity metric demonstrates a 10% uplift.
Irreplaceable Habitats
Certain habitats are treated as irreplaceable because they are exceptionally valuable and cannot be recreated within a reasonable timescale.
Impacts on irreplaceable habitat are treated differently from ordinary habitat losses within the biodiversity metric and may require a bespoke compensation strategy.
The presence of irreplaceable habitat can significantly affect whether a development is acceptable and should be identified during the earliest stages of site assessment.
Biodiversity Net Gain Support Throughout England
One Stop Consult coordinates BNG assessments, habitat surveys, statutory metric calculations and Biodiversity Gain Plan support for residential, commercial and mixed-use developments throughout England. Ecological surveys, design advice, habitat information and planning documentation can be managed through a single project contact.
Other Services Your Development May Require
BNG frequently forms part of a wider planning, ecological, environmental and design assessment package.
Important Biodiversity Net Gain Information
One Stop Consult provides consultancy and project coordination support and is not the Local Planning Authority, Natural England or the statutory decision-making body. Whether BNG applies, the appropriate assessment route and acceptance of the Biodiversity Gain Plan are determined by the applicable legislation and the relevant Local Planning Authority. Requirements may vary according to the planning application date, development type, site area, habitats present, exemptions and transitional arrangements. Biodiversity assessments do not replace protected-species surveys, licences or other ecological requirements. Seasonal surveys, additional site visits, landscape design, legal agreements, monitoring, off-site biodiversity units, statutory credits and long-term habitat management may be charged separately unless expressly included within the agreed quotation.
Biodiversity Net Gain FAQs
What is Biodiversity Net Gain?
Biodiversity Net Gain is an approach that requires applicable development to leave biodiversity in a measurably better condition than it was before the development took place.
How much Biodiversity Net Gain is required?
Applicable developments in England will normally need to achieve a minimum 10% increase in biodiversity value, although planning policy may require a higher percentage in some areas.
How is BNG calculated?
Habitat information is entered into the applicable statutory biodiversity metric. This compares the biodiversity-unit value of the site before and after development.
Does every planning application require BNG?
No. Exemptions and transitional arrangements can apply. Each proposal should be reviewed against the current legislation, development type and planning application date.
What information is needed for a BNG quotation?
We normally require the site address, red-line boundary, proposed layout, site area, description of development and any existing ecological reports or planning correspondence.
Can BNG be achieved entirely within the site?
It may be possible where sufficient land is available for suitable habitat retention, creation and enhancement. The completed metric will identify whether the on-site proposals achieve the required uplift.
What happens if the site cannot achieve 10% BNG?
The design may need to be revised, or registered off-site biodiversity units may be required. Statutory biodiversity credits may be considered as a final option where the necessary gains cannot be delivered on-site or through suitable off-site provision.
What is a Biodiversity Gain Plan?
It is a formal document explaining how the development will achieve its biodiversity gain objective. Where the statutory condition applies, it generally must be approved before development begins.
How long must BNG habitats be maintained?
Significant on-site enhancements and registered off-site habitat gains normally need to be secured, managed and monitored for at least 30 years.
Does a BNG assessment include protected-species surveys?
Not automatically. Protected-species surveys and licensing are separate ecological requirements and may be needed depending on the habitats, location and proposed works.
Can you guarantee approval of the BNG proposals?
No. Approval of the planning information and Biodiversity Gain Plan is a matter for the relevant Local Planning Authority.
Request Your Free Biodiversity Net Gain Quote
Complete the form below and provide the site address, red-line boundary, proposed development layout and any existing ecological reports or planning correspondence. Our team will review the project and provide a clear, no-obligation quotation for the appropriate habitat survey, biodiversity metric calculation and planning support.