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Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)

Ecology by Design has the deep expertise to support clients through the BNG process.
Ecology by Design is one of the market leading Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) ecology consultancies and offers the following services for biodiversity net gain assessments including:
  • Biodiversity net gain consultation
  • Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA)
  • Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA)
  • Biodiversity net gain calculation (statutory metric)
  • Appraisals of multiple sites to secure the most efficient solution across land holdings
  • Identification of suitable offsetting sites
  • Estate plans to secure the sale of biodiversity units
  • Biodiversity Gain Plans (BGP)
  • 30-year habitat management and monitoring plans (HMMP)
  • Liaison with planning authorities, estate owners and other stakeholders
Ecology by Design supports clients throughout the process, with a balanced approach to ensure the best outcome for developments, land use and the environment.
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building site

BNG for Developers

Virtually all proposed developments will need to show a BNG of at least 10% to secure planning permission.
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land with farm buildings

BNG for Landowners

As a landowner, you may be considering selling or leasing your land to deliver BNG units for developers to buy.
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conuncial estate

BNG for Local Planning Authorities

At Ecology by Design, we can support local planning authorities reviewing their land and property holdings from a BNG perspective.
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What is Biodiversity Net Gain?

Virtually all developments (essentially anything that requires planning permission) are required to protect and enhance existing habitats and ecosystems.

Specifically, it is now a legal requirement for development sites to deliver a minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain (BNG) (in some areas more). This is measured by using the statutory biodiversity metric tool to calculate standardised biodiversity units.

The biodiversity unit value of a site is determined by an ecologist who identifies the baseline features on site, namely habitat areas, hedgerows and watercourses. These area and linear values are then put in the metric alongside identifying which will be retained, lost or enhanced and which new habitats will be created. The metric tool then indicates whether the proposals will achieve the minimum 10% BNG required. The gain can be achieved by enhancing existing onsite habitats, creating new onsite habitats, allocating registered off-site gains and finally, as a last resort, buying off-site biodiversity units from a registered broker or landbank.

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