LARGE HOUSING DEVELOPERS
BNG: Do you need Biodiversity Units for your development?
BNG policy has been mandatory for major development projects since 12th February 2024. While there are some exceptions to BNG policy, it now applies to almost all development projects in England.
To be granted planning permission, housing developers must be able to deliver a measurable 10% net gain to biodiversity for each project. They do so by first calculating the value of the existing habitats at the site of development and assessing what will be lost as a result of the building work.
Developers have the responsibility to first avoid impacts as much as possible before replacing everything lost, plus an additional 10% extra. BNG can be delivered by creating new habitats or enhancing existing ones – either at the development site itself, or elsewhere. A developer must demonstrate how they intend to achieve BNG using a biodiversity gain plan.
Most land being used for biodiversity gains assigned to development projects must be legally secured for a minimum period of 30 years to allow the habitats to mature. Over this time, the habitats should be suitably protected, maintained, and monitored to reach its target condition.
Defra’s statutory biodiversity metric calculation tool
In collaboration with Natural England, the Environment Agency, and the Forestry Commission, Defra has created a biodiversity metric tool – and published an accompanying user guide.
This metric is used to calculate the value of existing habitats on-site and inform the housing developer or exactly how much they are responsible for putting back.
The tool must be used by a ‘competent’ person with the skills and knowledge to carry out the required metric calculations, typically a trained ecologist or assessor who can identify habitats and measure their condition accurately.
Off-site BNG options for large housebuilders
Large housing developments can have high Biodiversity Unit requirements and trying to deliver all of this within the red line boundary might be impossible. BNG habitats require protection, maintenance, and monitoring – and this may prove challenging in places where lots of people live.
Housebuilders might look to meet their requirements off-site by purchasing Biodiversity Units from a third party like Environment Bank or purchasing statutory biodiversity credits from the government as a last resort. These options allow them to meet requirements off-site, so on-site green spaces are free to use for residents, who might benefit more from gardens or playgrounds.
Environment Bank takes all responsibility for habitat delivery for the full 30 years and is working with large housing developers to find the most cost-effective solution. This includes bespoke supply agreements to deliver Units across multiple projects. To discover more about off-site Biodiversity Units for your large housing project, complete Environment Bank’s simple form.
Biodiversity Unit Request Form
To find out the cost and purchase options for our Biodiversity Units, please complete the form below.