The Environment Act 2021 came into force in February 2024, making Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) mandatory on all new development sites in England.
Put simply, BNG requires development projects to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state, increasing biodiversity by a minimum of 10 percent. These gains can be secured on-site, off-site, or by purchasing statutory credits.
While improving and restoring biodiversity plays an important role in supporting nature’s recovery, it can add an extra layer of complexity to developments as gains must be managed and maintained for a period of 30 years.
Both on-site and off-site gains are subject to 30 years of maintenance.
Agreed upon during the planning stages of a project, this period of future maintenance can take one of three forms:
The long-term implications of these commitments have largely been an afterthought, until now.
Our dedicated team of experts is on hand to alleviate the BNG burden, fulfilling your habitat maintenance obligations for the mandated 30 years.
We understand the 30-year commitment required by BNG and offer robust maintenance and monitoring solutions to keep projects compliant over time, safeguarding developers from potential penalties and keeping reputations intact.
This reduces responsibility and frees up in-house capacity, enabling you to cleanly transition to your next project.
With access to cutting-edge tools and metrics, our team accurately measures and tracks biodiversity gains, offering developers a transparent view of progress. This data-driven approach helps mitigate risks and demonstrates to authorities that BNG targets are on track.
By trusting us, you can confidently focus on your core project goals, knowing your BNG obligations are in skilled hands.
In creating sites with well-maintained biodiversity gains, you provide your residents with the chance to live, work, and play in nature. This opportunity to enjoy local habitats contributes to improved mental and physical wellbeing, enhancing a sense of community cohesion.
The 30-year maintenance commitment ensures that species-rich green spaces are well-preserved and sustainably managed over the long term, meaning residents benefit from these enhancements for years to come.
Yes. Under the Environment Act 2021, BNG requirements have been mandatory on major development sites since 12th February 2024 and on small development sites since 2nd April 2024.
To understand possible exemptions, please review the latest guidance on the government website.
Yes. As local and national regulations evolve, non-compliance with BNG requirements could lead to fines or penalties. Repeated non-compliance could risk developers’ credibility and harm relationships with Local Planning Authorities.
Yes, you can commit to self-monitoring and maintaining your biodiversity gains.
This involves conducting regular site inspections to track progress against BNG targets, arranging monitoring reports and habitat quality assessments, and utilising biodiversity measurement tools such as the Defra Biodiversity Metric.
In outsourcing your maintenance requirements to our experts, you benefit from the assurance that your biodiversity units will comply with all relevant legislation for the mandated 30 years. This alleviates responsibility and enables you to remain focused on development.
As part of our BNG management services, we ensure that all biodiversity gains created remain compliant over time. By accurately measuring these gains, we mitigate risks and ensure that targets remain on track.
This guarantees that all obligations outlined in your Biodiversity Gain Plan are fulfilled, ensuring your project complies with the Environment Act 2021.
Our expert team has a comprehensive understanding of BNG requirements, regulations, and best practices, enabling us to ensure compliance with Local Planning Authorities and the Environment Act 2021. Our experience ensures that projects meet BNG targets efficiently, with ongoing monitoring offering a transparent view of progress.
Why not contact us and we can explain in more detail?
Prices are calculated based on the unique requirements of each management plan. Please contact us to discuss your specific needs.
The status of your biodiversity gains will be recorded and documented in an annual report.
To access our BNG management service, developers must provide a copy of the Biodiversity Gain Plan and HMMP approved by the relevant Local Planning Authority.
