CIVITY NGE Blog

The introduction of mandatory BNG has fundamentally changed how landowners can generate income from land. As biodiversity net gain (BNG) becomes a legal requirement for most new development, developers must now deliver a required uplift in biodiversity value. This has created an exciting opportunity for landowners to enter the growing BNG market and establish long-term, sustainable income streams. For those asking ‘how landowners can leverage BNG credits to generate new income streams’, the answer lies in aligning land management, ecological expertise and compliance with planning requirements to create and sell biodiversity units within the emerging nature markets. In short: landowners can be paid to create the biodiversity that developers need. Understanding Biodiversity Net Gain and the Market Opportunity Biodiversity net gain BNG is a statutory framework introduced under the Environment Act 2021. It requires developers to deliver at least a 10% measurable improvement in biodiversity using the biodiversity metric, ensuring developments contribute positively to the natural environment. Natural England provides the methodology through its Biodiversity Metric framework, which is used to calculate biodiversity units, determine baseline ecological value, and assess how many net gain units can be created. Where developers cannot achieve sufficient onsite biodiversity gain, they must secure offsite biodiversity units. This is where landowners can step in to generate biodiversity credits and supply units in the private market. Turning Land Into a Biodiversity Asset Landowners can transform a piece of land into a revenue-generating asset by creating a gain site or participating in habitat banks. This involves assessing existing habitats, understanding the ecological value of the site, and designing a plan for habitat creation and biodiversity enhancement. Sites with lower baseline biodiversity (such as intensive farmland) or existing habitats (such as floodplains and unproductive marginal areas) often present the greatest potential to increase biodiversity and generate a higher number of BNG units. Through creating habitats, landowners can significantly enhance land value while contributing to wider environmental goals. This shift reflects a broader move towards valuing natural capital, where land is recognised not just for production but for its contribution to ecosystem services. The UK government’s approach is outlined in its natural capital guidance, which supports investment in environmental stewardship and long-term sustainability. Habitat Creation, Enhancement and Long-Term Management Generating biodiversity credits requires a commitment to enhancing habitats and delivering long-term habitat management. This may include woodland planting, wetland restoration, the creation of water bodies, or establishing habitat corridors to support wildlife and biodiversity. These interventions not only generate biodiversity units but also contribute to carbon sequestration, improved ecosystem services and nature recovery. Natural England highlights these outcomes within its work on environmental improvement and nature recovery. The number of units generated depends on habitat type, scale, and how long it takes for habitats to mature. Landowners often ask how many biodiversity units can be created, but the answer depends on site-specific conditions and the biodiversity metric calculations. Legal Agreements and Compliance Requirements To enter the BNG market and sell biodiversity units, land must be secured through legally binding agreements for a minimum of 30 years. This ensures that biodiversity gains are maintained and that the scheme remains legally compliant. These agreements are typically structured through conservation covenants with a responsible body or planning obligations with a local planning authority. The legal framework is set out in the Environment Act 2021. A monitoring plan must also be established, ensuring ongoing management, regular monitoring, and reporting to demonstrate that biodiversity improvements are being delivered. Landowners must consider legal requirements carefully, including tax implications, land tenure arrangements such as tenant farmer agreements, and the long-term impact of BNG arrangements on land use. Accessing the BNG Market and Selling Units Once a site is established and secured through a BNG agreement, landowners can begin to generate income by selling units to developers. The BNG market operates through a private framework where developers seek off-site units to meet planning requirements. Demand is often driven by proximity to development sites, meaning units within the same local planning authority area are typically more valuable. In addition to private market transactions, statutory biodiversity credits are available through the government as a last resort. However, these are priced to encourage participation in the private market, reinforcing opportunities for landowners. Many landowners also explore integrating nutrient credits and carbon credits into their strategy, creating diversified new income streams aligned with broader environmental markets. Strategic Considerations for Landowners While the opportunity to generate income is significant, it requires a strategic approach. Landowners must assess site suitability, understand planning policy, and consider how their land fits within local development pipelines. Early engagement with ecologists and specialists is essential to understand the potential of the site and design a viable scheme. This includes assessing existing habitats, planning habitat enhancement, and ensuring alignment with local authorities and planning frameworks. The BNG system is still in its early days, and while it offers strong potential, the availability of projects and demand for units can vary geographically. This makes early positioning and informed decision-making critical. The Role of Expert Guidance Successfully delivering BNG schemes involves ecological assessments, biodiversity metric calculations, legal structuring and long-term management. Without the right support, there is a risk of underperforming assets or non-compliance. As a specialist provider in biodiversity net gain, Civity NGE offers expert guidance to landowners and land managers looking to enter the BNG market. Their team supports everything from initial agreement and site assessment through to creating habitats, securing legal agreements and bringing biodiversity credits to market. Conclusion For landowners exploring how to leverage BNG credits to generate new income streams, the opportunity is clear. By aligning land management with environmental stewardship and participating in nature markets, it is possible to unlock sustainable and long-term income. As biodiversity net gain continues to shape development across England, those who take a proactive and strategic approach will be best positioned to benefit while supporting the recovery of the natural environment.

Where to Find Biodiversity Credits If you need to secure biodiversity units quickly and compliantly, the most reliable answer to how to find local biodiversity credits for sale near a development site is straightforward. Your first step should be to go directly to a specialist provider. At Civity NGE, developers can access available biodiversity net gain units from registered gain sites with speed and certainty. By engaging directly, you will receive a tailored and accurate response based on your specific development site and biodiversity metric outputs. This typically includes a full review of your statutory biodiversity metric submission, confirmation of how many biodiversity units are required, identification of the correct habitat type, a clear location-specific price, and verified availability from registered biodiversity gain sites. Responses are usually provided the same day or next working day, allowing you to move efficiently through the planning process and avoid delays to planning permission. You can also explore current availability directly via Civity’s biodiversity unit listings. Understanding the Growing BNG Market Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is now a statutory requirement under the Environment Act 2021, meaning most development projects must deliver at least a 10% uplift in biodiversity value. This applies across new developments, including many small sites, and forms part of wider UK government planning policy and the National Planning Policy Framework. This requirement has created a structured private market for biodiversity units, where developers can purchase off-site biodiversity units when sufficient uplift cannot be achieved within the development site boundary. As the BNG system continues to evolve, this market is still in its early days, but demand for biodiversity credits is already increasing across many projects. The Role of Off-Site Biodiversity Units Where on-site BNG cannot fully meet the required uplift, developers must secure offsite biodiversity units from registered habitat banks or gain sites. These sites are typically managed by land managers and are designed specifically for habitat creation and biodiversity enhancement. They are legally secured for a minimum of 30 years through conservation covenants or planning obligations and must be registered with Natural England on the biodiversity gain sites register. Off-site biodiversity gains play a key role in delivering biodiversity net gain across the natural environment. They support nature recovery, create new habitats, and contribute to wider ecosystem services such as habitat corridors, carbon storage and water management. How to Find Local Biodiversity Credits in Practice Prioritise Local Planning Authority Requirements The statutory biodiversity metric applies spatial multipliers, meaning units located closer to the development site carry greater value. As a result, local planning authorities typically expect off-site biodiversity units to be sourced within the same authority boundary wherever possible. They should also align with local nature recovery strategies and support local biodiversity priorities. This reflects the mitigation hierarchy, which prioritises local delivery of biodiversity gain before wider off-site options are considered. This emphasis on proximity makes local sourcing critical when buying biodiversity units and ensures compliance with BNG requirements. Use Specialist Providers First Direct engagement with a specialist provider is the most efficient way to secure compliant biodiversity net gain units. A provider will confirm real-time availability, ensure units match your biodiversity metric calculations, and support your biodiversity gain plan. This is particularly important where specific habitat types or distinctiveness levels are required. At Civity, this includes reviewing your submitted biodiversity metric, identifying any shortfall, and allocating units from registered gain sites aligned with your development. This approach reduces risk and ensures compliance with legal requirements under the BNG system. Use Marketplaces as a Secondary Tool Marketplaces can be useful for identifying general availability of biodiversity credits across the UK and gaining an understanding of pricing within the open market. They can support early-stage research into off-site units and help developers explore the wider BNG market. However, they do not always reflect live availability, often require follow-up engagement with providers, and do not validate compliance with your specific development project. As a result, they should be treated as a starting point rather than a final procurement route. Understanding Pricing and Availability The biodiversity credits market is still developing, and pricing varies depending on several key factors. Habitat type plays a significant role, with higher-value habitats such as woodland or wetland typically commanding higher prices than simpler grassland or linear habitats. Location is also critical, as units closer to the development site or within the same local authority area are more valuable due to spatial multipliers. Strategic alignment with local nature recovery strategies and contribution to wider nature recovery objectives can also increase value, particularly where habitats created deliver long-term ecological benefits. Developers should also be aware of statutory biodiversity credits, which are available from the UK government as a last resort. These statutory credits are deliberately priced above private market rates to encourage the use of habitat banks and private biodiversity units. Key Considerations When Purchasing Units When purchasing biodiversity units, developers must ensure that the mitigation hierarchy has been followed and that on-site biodiversity net gain has been maximised before relying on off site solutions. Units must match the required habitat type and distinctiveness identified in biodiversity metric calculations, and all legal agreements must be in place and enforceable. Units must also be correctly allocated within the biodiversity gain plan and linked to the relevant development site. Early engagement is essential, particularly in areas where supply is constrained or where specific habitat types are required. Expert Support At Civity NGE, we provide specialist BNG services to developers navigating biodiversity net gain requirements. We identify, price and allocate biodiversity units from registered habitat banks, ensuring compliance with planning policy and legal obligations. We work alongside project ecologists and local planning authorities to ensure all off site biodiversity gains are fully aligned with the biodiversity gain plan and meet statutory biodiversity requirements. Conclusion The answer to how to find local biodiversity credits for sale near a development site is clear. Start with a specialist provider such as Civity NGE who can confirm availability, ensure compliance and provide accurate pricing quickly. While marketplaces can support initial research, they do not replace provider-led validation. Moving forward, developers who take a structured, early approach to sourcing biodiversity units will be best positioned to meet planning requirements, secure planning permission and deliver meaningful biodiversity gain outcomes.

Ecological assessments undertaken by qualified ecologists form the foundation of any biodiversity net gain (BNG) project. For landowners and land managers seeking to generate income through the sale of biodiversity units, understanding the ecological baseline of a site is the critical first step. Before habitat creation or biodiversity enhancements can be designed, the ecological value of a site must be assessed through a structured process of surveys, data analysis and reporting. This ensures that biodiversity net gain can be measured accurately and that any future gains are credible, compliant and deliverable. The Role of Ecological Assessments in Biodiversity Net Gain Under the Environment Act 2021, biodiversity net gain is now a mandatory requirement for most development. Developers must demonstrate measurable improvements in biodiversity using the DEFRA Biodiversity Metric. For landowners looking to create and sell biodiversity units, ecological assessments establish the baseline biodiversity value against which gains will be calculated. Without a robust ecological assessment, it is not possible to determine how many biodiversity units a site can generate. This process is also essential for identifying ecological constraints, potential impacts and opportunities for habitat enhancement. What Is a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal? The first stage of ecological assessment is typically a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA). This combines a desktop study with an initial site walkover survey to identify habitats present, potential ecological constraints and the likely presence of protected and priority species. The desktop study gathers data from sources such as local environmental records centres and the National Biodiversity Network Atlas. The site survey then assesses habitat types, ecological condition and any signs of notable species. The outcome is a PEA report that: Identifies ecological constraints Highlights potential impacts Recommends whether further surveys are required When Is an Ecological Impact Assessment Required? For sites with greater ecological complexity or those associated with development proposals, a more detailed Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) may be required. The EcIA evaluates the potential effects of a development on habitats, species and designated sites. It considers: Direct and indirect habitat loss Disturbance and fragmentation Mitigation and enhancement opportunities The process follows guidance set by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), ensuring consistency and professional standards. The Importance of Ecological Surveys Ecological surveys provide the evidence base for both baseline assessment and biodiversity metric calculations. These may include: Habitat condition assessments Botanical surveys Species-specific surveys (e.g. birds, bats, great crested newts) Survey work is often seasonally constrained, meaning that timing can affect both programme and viability. Accurate survey data is essential to ensure that biodiversity metric calculations reflect the true ecological value of a site and that any biodiversity units generated are defensible within the planning system. Identifying Ecological Constraints and Opportunities Ecological assessments do more than identify constraints. They also highlight opportunities for habitat creation and enhancement. Sites with lower baseline biodiversity, such as underperforming arable or improved grassland, may offer significant potential for habitat restoration and biodiversity uplift. Conversely, sites with higher ecological value may be more constrained but still capable of delivering targeted enhancements. Understanding these factors allows landowners to design habitat strategies that balance ecological value with long-term land use objectives. From Assessment to Biodiversity Units Once ecological surveys are complete, the data is used within the DEFRA Biodiversity Metric to calculate baseline biodiversity units and model post-enhancement scenarios. This process determines how many biodiversity units can be generated through habitat creation or enhancement. It also considers: Habitat distinctiveness Condition Strategic significance Long-term management requirements The number and type of units generated will directly influence the commercial viability of a site within the BNG market. Legal and Registration Considerations Ecological assessments underpin the legal and regulatory framework required to deliver off-site biodiversity units. To bring a site forward, land must be: Supported by a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP) Secured through a legal agreement (Section 106 agreement or Conservation Covenant) Registered on Natural England’s Biodiversity Gain Site Register The quality and robustness of ecological data is critical to securing approval and ensuring that biodiversity units can be lawfully allocated to development projects. Supporting Nature Recovery and Long-Term Land Management Ecological assessments play a central role in ensuring that biodiversity net gain delivers meaningful environmental outcomes. By identifying appropriate habitats and realistic management strategies, they support: Long-term habitat creation and enhancement Improved ecological resilience Alignment with Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) This ensures that biodiversity net gain functions as more than a compliance requirement, contributing to wider nature recovery objectives. At Civity At Civity, we work with landowners to bring forward biodiversity gain sites. Using ecological survey data and biodiversity metric outputs prepared by qualified ecologists, we: Assess the commercial viability of a site Identify suitable habitat creation options Prepare the Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans (HMMPs) Structure legal agreements and oversee site registration Facilitate the sale of biodiversity units to developers through our landbank Summary Ecological assessments are the starting point for any biodiversity net gain project, providing the baseline data required to measure, design and deliver biodiversity improvements. For landowners, they are a critical step in understanding both the ecological potential and commercial viability of a site. For developers, they underpin the credibility and compliance of biodiversity gain calculations. As the BNG market continues to develop, robust ecological data, clear legal structuring and long-term management planning will remain essential to delivering biodiversity units that are both policy-compliant and ecologically meaningful. Disclaimer This article is intended for general informational purposes and reflects current ecological assessment practices and biodiversity net gain requirements in England. It does not constitute ecological, legal or planning advice. Landowners and developers should seek professional advice tailored to their specific site and refer to up-to-date guidance from Natural England and relevant regulatory bodies.

Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is now a central requirement within the English planning system, requiring most development projects to deliver at least a 10% increase in biodiversity value. While the principle is consistent, the delivery of biodiversity net gain can take two distinct forms: on-site biodiversity net gain within the development site or off-site biodiversity units secured elsewhere. Understanding the difference between BNG off-site credits and on-site biodiversity net gain is essential for developers, land managers and planning professionals seeking to meet biodiversity net gain requirements efficiently and compliantly. The Policy Context and Legal Framework Mandatory biodiversity net gain is established under the Environment Act 2021 and supported by detailed policy and technical guidance.    All biodiversity gains must be calculated using the statutory biodiversity metric, developed by Natural England and available through the statutory biodiversity metric tool and guidance. Local planning authorities are responsible for ensuring that development proposals meet the biodiversity gain objective, typically through the submission and approval of a biodiversity gain plan. What Is On-Site Biodiversity Net Gain? On-site biodiversity net gain refers to habitat creation, habitat enhancement and biodiversity improvements delivered within the red line boundary of the development site. This approach focuses on enhancing on-site habitats as part of the development design. Examples include green infrastructure, tree planting, restoring natural habitats or improving existing habitat conditions to increase biodiversity units. The biodiversity metric tool is used to calculate baseline biodiversity value and model post-development biodiversity value. Developers must demonstrate that on-site gains contribute meaningfully to achieving biodiversity net gain to include them within their calculations; this usually involves securing their ongoing management and maintenance via a Section 106 agreement for at least 30 years. On-site delivery aligns closely with the mitigation hierarchy, which prioritises avoiding and minimising biodiversity loss before considering compensation. As a result, local planning authorities expect significant on-site gains wherever feasible. What Are BNG Off-Site Credits? BNG off-site credits, more accurately described as off-site biodiversity units, are biodiversity gains delivered outside the development site. These units are generated through habitat creation or restoration on separate land, often referred to as habitat banks or gain sites. Off-site biodiversity gains must be legally secured for at least 30 years and registered on the statutory register maintained by Natural England. The operation of this system is explained within the biodiversity gain site register guidance. Developers may purchase biodiversity units from these sites to compensate for any shortfall in on-site biodiversity net gain. The units are then allocated to the development and recorded as part of the biodiversity gain plan. The Role of the Biodiversity Gain Hierarchy The biodiversity gain hierarchy governs how biodiversity net gain should be delivered. It requires developers to prioritise on-site habitat enhancement before relying on off-site solutions. This hierarchy reflects the broader mitigation hierarchy within planning policy, ensuring that biodiversity loss is first avoided as the preferred approach, then minimised within the development site before, finally, compensation is considered. Local planning authorities will scrutinise biodiversity gain plans to ensure that off-site gains are not used prematurely or in place of achievable on-site improvements. When Are Off-Site Units Used? Off-site biodiversity units are typically required where the development site has limited capacity to deliver sufficient biodiversity gains. This may occur in high-density urban developments, constrained sites or schemes involving significant habitat loss. In these cases, off-site solutions allow developers to achieve biodiversity net gain by investing in habitat creation elsewhere. Off-site habitats may deliver greater ecological value where they are strategically located, larger in scale, or aligned with Local Nature Recovery Strategy priorities. The statutory biodiversity metric applies spatial multipliers, meaning that units located within the same local planning authority area or in proximity to the development site are more valuable. Statutory Biodiversity Credits as a Last Resort Where neither on-site gains nor off-site biodiversity units are available, developers may buy statutory biodiversity credits from the government. These credits are intentionally priced higher than market-based off-site units to encourage private habitat creation and restoration. Their use is restricted to situations where other options have been exhausted, as outlined in the statutory biodiversity credits framework. Comparing On-Site and Off-Site Approaches On-site biodiversity net gain offers clear advantages in terms of integrating biodiversity into development design, supporting local ecosystems and aligning with planning policy expectations. It also reduces reliance on external agreements and simplifies long-term governance, where appropriately managed. However, on-site delivery is often constrained by site viability, land availability and competing development priorities. Off-site biodiversity net gain provides flexibility, allowing developers to secure biodiversity units from dedicated habitat banks designed specifically to deliver ecological value. These sites can deliver biodiversity improvements at scale and contribute to wider environmental objectives. The most effective biodiversity net gain delivery strategies often involve a combination of on-site gains and off-site gains, ensuring compliance with the biodiversity gain hierarchy while achieving the required net gain efficiently. Legal and Long-Term Considerations Both on-site and off-site biodiversity gains must be secured through legal agreements and supported by a monitoring plan lasting at least 30 years. Off-site units are typically secured through conservation covenants or section 106 planning obligations. Government guidance on conservation covenants is available through the conservation covenant framework. Local authorities and responsible bodies oversee compliance, ensuring that habitat enhancement works are delivered and maintained over time. Strategic Decision-Making for Developers Choosing between on-site and off-site biodiversity net gain requires a detailed understanding of the development site, baseline biodiversity value and planning constraints. Early engagement with ecologists and planning professionals is essential to identify the most effective approach. Developers should model different scenarios using the biodiversity metric to determine the optimal balance between on-site habitat enhancements and off-site solutions. Consideration should also be given to programme timelines, cost, land ownership constraints and the availability of suitable off-site units within the relevant local planning authority area. Expert Support for BNG Delivery Delivering biodiversity net gain in compliance with current regulations requires technical expertise in biodiversity metric calculations, legal structuring and habitat management. At Civity, we facilitate the delivery of compliant biodiversity net gain by providing access to pre-registered off-site biodiversity units from our land bank. We work with landowners to bring forward biodiversity gain sites and secure them through the appropriate legal agreements and registration processes. For developers, we review submitted biodiversity metrics, identify unit requirements, and allocate suitable off-site units in line with statutory trading rules. We can also support the completion of relevant sections of the Biodiversity Gain Plan, working alongside the project ecologist where required. Disclaimer This article is intended for general informational purposes and reflects the biodiversity net gain framework in England at the time of writing. It does not constitute legal, ecological or planning advice. Developers and landowners should seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances and refer to current government and Natural England guidance to ensure compliance with evolving biodiversity net gain regulations.