Biodiversity Net Gain Services

The way a site is designed can significantly affect the scale and cost of its BNG requirements.

We work with architects, planners, landscape professionals and engineers to identify opportunities to:

• retain valuable existing habitats;

• avoid unnecessary habitat losses;

• integrate habitat creation into the development;

• improve the condition of retained habitats;

• coordinate ecological measures with drainage and landscaping;

• provide suitable buffers and habitat connections; and

• reduce reliance on off-site biodiversity units.

Early collaboration is particularly important where a site contains habitats that are difficult to replace or where the amount of land available for biodiversity enhancement is limited.

Our role is not simply to increase the metric score. Proposed habitats must also be appropriate for the site and compatible with its future use.

Where possible, biodiversity gains may be delivered within the development site.

We can advise on the combination of habitat retention, enhancement and creation needed to meet the project’s objectives.

This may include measures such as:

• species-rich grassland;

• native scrub and woodland planting;

• hedgerow creation and enhancement;

• pond and wetland habitats;

• sustainable drainage features designed for biodiversity;

• orchard creation;

• tree planting; and

• improvements to existing habitats.

On-site habitat proposals must be realistic within the context of the development. Public access, amenity use, shading, drainage, soil conditions, maintenance requirements and future ownership can all affect whether a habitat is likely to succeed.

We therefore assess not only whether a habitat generates sufficient biodiversity units, but also whether it can be established and maintained over the long term.

Some developments cannot achieve the required BNG entirely within the site boundary.

Where an off-site solution is needed, we can quantify the shortfall and identify the type and number of biodiversity units required.

This allows the client to approach registered habitat-bank providers or other suitable landowners with a clearly defined requirement. We can also review proposed off-site units to confirm whether they correspond with the development’s habitat losses and satisfy the applicable metric rules.

Where a client controls additional land, we can assess whether that land may provide an appropriate off-site solution and advise on the ecological, planning and management implications.

Statutory biodiversity credits generally represent a last-resort option where suitable on-site and registered off-site solutions are not available.

A Biodiversity Gain Plan sets out how the development will meet its BNG obligations.

It typically draws together information from the habitat survey, biodiversity metric, development plans and habitat management proposals.

Depending on the project and planning route, it may include:

• the pre-development biodiversity value;

• the proposed impact on existing habitats;

• the application of the biodiversity gain hierarchy;

• the proposed on-site gains;

• any off-site biodiversity units;

• the completed statutory biodiversity metric;

• plans identifying retained, enhanced and created habitats; and

• arrangements for securing and managing the gain.

We prepare Biodiversity Gain Plans that are consistent with the wider planning submission and clearly explain how the BNG requirement will be delivered.

Where habitats are being created or enhanced for BNG, a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan is commonly required.

The plan explains how the habitats will be established, managed and monitored over the agreed period, which is generally at least 30 years.

An HMMP may include:

• habitat objectives;

• establishment works;

• annual and seasonal management prescriptions;

• responsibilities for delivery and oversight;

• monitoring methods and frequency;

• habitat condition targets;

• reporting arrangements;

• remedial measures; and

• procedures for adapting management where habitats are not developing as intended.

The management proposals must be sufficiently detailed to demonstrate that the target habitats are achievable, while allowing appropriate flexibility to respond to changing site conditions.

We prepare standalone HMMPs and can also work alongside landscape architects, management companies and other specialists where responsibilities are divided across the project team.

Some on-site habitat enhancements may need to be secured and maintained for at least 30 years, even where the overall BNG requirement is achieved without purchasing off-site units.

We can help identify which proposed habitats may constitute significant on-site enhancements and advise on:

• appropriate management objectives;

• monitoring and reporting;

• responsibilities for long-term delivery;

• consistency with planning conditions and legal agreements; and

• practical arrangements for future site owners or management bodies.

These requirements should be identified before management and ownership arrangements are finalised.

BNG requirements may be addressed through pre-commencement conditions, Biodiversity Gain Plans, landscape conditions, ecological management plans or legal agreements.

We can review planning decisions and consultee comments to identify what information is required and prepare the necessary ecological documents for condition discharge.

This may involve:

• updating the biodiversity metric;

• revising habitat plans;

• preparing or updating an HMMP;

• responding to local planning authority comments;

• reconciling differences between approved plans and the metric;

• clarifying on-site and off-site commitments; and

• providing implementation notes for contractors and site managers.

Where conditions have been drafted ambiguously or overlap with other ecological requirements, we can help the project team identify a coherent and proportionate response.

The habitats shown within a BNG calculation must ultimately be delivered on the ground.

We can provide ecological input during the implementation stage, including:

• review of detailed landscape proposals;

• advice on habitat specifications;

• pre-start meetings;

• contractor briefings;

• site inspections;

• review of planting and seeding proposals;

• advice on soil preparation and establishment; and

• confirmation of whether completed works reflect the approved strategy.

Early implementation oversight can help identify problems before habitats fail or become costly to rectify.

BNG habitats may require monitoring at specified intervals throughout the management period.

We can undertake habitat condition monitoring, assess progress against agreed targets and prepare reports for the responsible body, local planning authority or other stakeholders.

Monitoring may include:

• habitat condition assessments;

• fixed-point photography;

• review of management records;

• assessment against metric condition criteria;

• identification of establishment or management failures;

• recommendations for remedial action; and

• updates to the management approach where necessary.

Monitoring should provide meaningful evidence that the agreed biodiversity outcomes are being achieved, rather than simply recording whether routine maintenance has taken place.