Since the Environment Act made mandatory BNG a reality, the private market for biodiversity units has become crucial for development projects across England. As habitat bank operators and specialists in biodiversity net gain (BNG), we’re here to guide developers and land managers through the complexities of purchasing and selling biodiversity units.
Understanding the BNG Market Landscape
The Fundamentals of Biodiversity Units
Biodiversity units represent measurable biodiversity value, calculated using the statutory biodiversity metric developed by DEFRA (building upon previous versions created by Natural England). These units form the foundation of how we:
- Measure biodiversity gain
- Assess development site impacts
- Calculate off-site biodiversity units needed
- Monitor habitat enhancement progress
Why Off-Site Units Matter
For many development projects, achieving significant on-site gains isn’t feasible. Off-site biodiversity units provide a solution by:
- Meeting planning authority requirements
- Simplifying the planning process
- Providing immediate biodiversity gain
- Reducing ongoing management responsibilities
- Supporting local nature recovery strategies
Purchasing Biodiversity Units for Developers
How Many Biodiversity Units Do You Need?
The number of units required depends on several factors:
- Development site size and current biodiversity value
- Planned on-site habitat enhancement
- Local authority requirements
- Specific development impacts
- Presence of irreplaceable habitats
Our BNG Unit Offering
As established habitat bank operators, we:
- Sell biodiversity units that meet statutory requirements
- Manage multiple habitat types
- Ensure long-term habitat management
- Handle monitoring and reporting
- Support the planning process
The Purchase Process
- Initial Assessment
- Review development site requirements
- Calculate required units based on the Statutory Biodiversity Metric associated with the planning application
- Assess the local nature recovery context
- Unit Selection
- Match available units to your needs
- Consider habitat types (in terms of trading rule requirements)
- Align with local authority preferences
Legal Agreements
- Receive BNG Unit Sale Agreement upon purchase
- Establish planning obligations
- Secure necessary legal documentation
Implementation
- Register on the biodiversity gain site register
- Confirm management and monitoring plan
- Support planning permission process
Land Opportunities: Selling Biodiversity Units
Benefits for Land Managers
As a land manager or estate manager, selling biodiversity units offers:
- Long-term income streams
- A habitat management agreement
- Support for nature recovery
- Potentially environmental payments
- Expert guidance throughout
What Makes Land Suitable?
We look for sites that:
- Support local nature recovery strategy objectives
- Offer potential for habitat enhancement
- Can generate sufficient biodiversity value
- Provide long-term management opportunities
- Complement existing habitat banking networks
Our Partnership Approach As your ecological partner from start to finish, we:
- Provide comprehensive ecological advice and reporting from day one
- Serve as your dedicated monitoring ecologist throughout the 31-year period
- Take full responsibility for registering your site on the National Register
- Manage unit sales and tracking
- Support developers in finding and purchasing biodiversity units
- Deliver ongoing ecological expertise and monitoring reports
The Technical Framework
Management and Monitoring Requirements
Successful BNG sites need:
- Detailed management and monitoring plan
- Regular habitat assessment
- Professional oversight
- Clear reporting structure
- Long-term commitment
Working with Local Authorities
Supporting Local Nature Recovery
We align our approach with the following:
- Local nature recovery strategies
- Planning authorities’ priorities
- Natural England guidance
- Local biodiversity plans
- Regional conservation goals
Planning Process Integration
Our team supports:
- Biodiversity gain plan review and feedback
- Planning permission applications (in terms of offsite BNG considerations)
- Local authority consultation
- Monitoring plan approval
- Ongoing compliance
Market Dynamics and Opportunities
Understanding Unit Values
Unit prices reflect:
- Habitat types involved
- Local market conditions
- Creation and management costs
- Regional supply and demand
Future Market Development
We anticipate:
- Growing demand for off-site units
- Expanded habitat banking networks
- Enhanced monitoring technologies
- Streamlined legal processes
- Integrated nature recovery approaches
Practical Guidance For Developers
Key steps:
- Early engagement with consultant ecologists and, therefore, assessment of BNG requirements
- Evaluation of on-site vs off-site options
- Engagement with planning authorities
- Securing appropriate units
- Implementing biodiversity gain plans
For Land Managers
Important considerations:
- Site potential scoping and creation of a long-term management plan (Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan)
- Long-term commitment evaluation
- Legal framework understanding
- Management capacity review
- Financial planning
Risk Management and Compliance
Ensuring Long-term Success Through Partnership
We focus on:
- Full ecological partnership from project initiation through 31 years of monitoring
- Registration and management of Habitat Bank on the National Register
- Unit sales coordination and tracking
- Developer matching and assistance for biodiversity unit requirements
- Regular monitoring and ecological reporting
- Adaptive management oversight
Managing Responsibilities
Clear allocation of:
- Ongoing management duties
- Monitoring requirements
- Legal obligations
- Reporting responsibilities
- Compliance oversight
Expert Support Throughout
Our team provides:
- Technical guidance
- Legal support
- Planning assistance
- Ecological expertise
- Ongoing partnership
Partnering for Success
Whether you’re seeking to purchase biodiversity units for development or explore opportunities as a land manager, we provide comprehensive support throughout the BNG process. Our experience in both selling biodiversity units and establishing habitat banking sites ensures reliable, compliant solutions for all stakeholders.
Success in the BNG market requires professional ecological advice and monitoring, careful and methodical management, and long-term commitment. By partnering with experienced habitat bank operators, both developers and land managers can navigate these requirements effectively while contributing to meaningful nature recovery outcomes.
For specific advice about buying or selling biodiversity units or to discuss land opportunities, contact our team to explore how we can support your objectives.
