CIVITY NGE Blog

The shift towards biodiversity net gain (BNG) is reshaping how land is valued and used across the UK. For many developers, securing planning permission now centrally involves meeting the new legal obligation to deliver measurable improvements to the natural environment. At the same time, landowners are discovering that creating and selling BNG units can provide fresh income opportunities while supporting wider conservation efforts. One type of BNG unit that landowners might produce are habitats within the ‘grassland’ broad habitat category. The growing demand for BNG units for sale means that grassland habitats in particular are increasingly recognised as a valuable resource for both ecological enhancement and sustainable development and are a habitat type commonly lost as part of a development proposal. Understanding Grassland BNG Units Grassland habitats vary widely in their biodiversity value, and this variation is reflected in the number and type of biodiversity net gain (BNG) units they can generate. At the lower end of the scale is modified grassland, which is typically species-poor and considered low value in biodiversity terms. At the other end are species-rich habitats such as lowland meadows, which hold very high biodiversity value and therefore produce more valuable units. Between these extremes lie a range of medium- and high-value grassland types, each contributing differently to biodiversity enhancement and net gain. Whether through the restoration of existing habitats or the creation of new ones, appropriately managed grassland sites can generate BNG units that play a crucial role in compensating for habitat loss caused by development. Recognising the distinctions between different grassland types is essential to ensure that biodiversity gains are meaningful, measurable, and properly aligned with the habitats affected by a scheme. The biodiversity metric underpins this process by providing a consistent method for assessing the ecological value of both development sites and off-site habitat banks. On development sites, the metric establishes the baseline ecological value before any works begin and calculates the expected biodiversity value after proposed habitat creation, enhancement, or retention measures. This calculation determines the number of biodiversity units the development will deliver on-site. For off-site habitat banks, the same metric is used to assess the number and type of units that can be generated through habitat creation or restoration on that land, which can then be made available for developers to purchase as part of their biodiversity offsetting strategy. In both on-site and off-site contexts, a qualified ecologist is responsible for applying the metric accurately and producing the necessary habitat management and monitoring plans. These, alongside a clear biodiversity gain plan, provide assurance to the responsible body and the local planning authority that the required biodiversity net gain will be delivered and maintained for the long term. Opportunities for Landowners For a landowner, establishing a biodiversity gain site through habitat creation or restoration offers an alternative income stream. By working with ecologists, land managers, and organisations such as Civity, landowners can create BNG habitat banks that produce units for the private market. Developers who have a BNG requirement but can’t deliver all the units they need on-site can purchase these units. Entering the BNG market offers landowners a significant financial opportunity. By creating or enhancing habitats that generate biodiversity units, landowners can sell these units to developers who need to meet their biodiversity net gain requirements, providing a reliable long-term income stream. To participate, land must be secured through a conservation covenant or SE106 agreement, ensuring the arrangement is legally binding and delivers the agreed outcomes over time. Alongside the financial returns, there are wider environmental and social benefits. Restoring and creating new habitats supports biodiversity, improves the quality of the natural environment, and contributes to national nature recovery goals. These improvements also bring long-term value to local communities by enhancing green spaces, supporting wildlife, and increasing the ecological resilience of the surrounding landscape. Opportunities for Developers For developers, purchasing off-site biodiversity units is often the most practical way to achieve compliance. Some development sites lack the land and/or ongoing management capabilities required to deliver the necessary uplift in site biodiversity units. In such cases, buying units from an established BNG habitat bank allows developers to demonstrate net gain, secure planning approval, and move forward with their projects without causing an unacceptable net loss of biodiversity. Developers must ensure that any purchased BNG units meet the standards set by Natural England and are supported by appropriate legal agreements. By sourcing off-site units from a BNG habitat bank with an approved Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan and legal agreement in place, developers can guarantee the biodiversity net gain BNG outcomes expected by planning authorities. How the Market Works The BNG services sector is rapidly evolving, with the private market offering a growing number of grassland BNG units (as well as other unit types) for sale. Providers such as Civity register our units and allocate them to specific development projects. This process ensures that every unit purchased delivers a measurable improvement to biodiversity and helps achieve sustainable development. With rising demand for off-site BNG, both landowners and developers must act strategically. Landowners need to partner with experienced advisors to structure their biodiversity gain sites correctly, while developers must identify trusted suppliers to fulfil their immediate needs and long-term obligations. Civity’s Role in the BNG Market At Civity, we bridge the gap between landowners and developers, ensuring the successful delivery of grassland BNG units that meet all legal obligations. Our team supports landowners through the creation and registration of biodiversity gain sites, providing units to developers and BNG units that align with their planning approval requirements. By guiding both sides through the entire process, we make it easier to achieve compliance, protect the environment, and unlock the full potential of the BNG market. If you are a landowner exploring how to register your land for habitat creation or a developer in need of BNG units for sale to secure planning permission, Civity can provide the expertise and support you need to achieve lasting results.

The introduction of biodiversity net gain (BNG) under the Environment Act has reshaped the planning system for development projects across England. For developers, understanding how grassland BNG units are for sale – what developers need to know – is critical to achieving compliance while keeping projects on track. With BNG requirements now a legal requirement, securing the right balance between on-site enhancements and off-site biodiversity units has become a key consideration for both major developments and smaller schemes. What Are BNG Units, and Why Do They Matter? BNG units measure the ecological value of habitats, both before and after development. Using the official biodiversity metric, the pre-development biodiversity value of a site is compared with the proposed biodiversity gains from habitat creation and or enhancement. To secure planning permission from local planning authorities, developers must demonstrate a measurable increase of at least ten per cent. If a development site fails to yield sufficient biodiversity gains on-site, developers have the option to purchase off-site units from a BNG habitat bank or, as a final resort, purchase statutory biodiversity credits from Natural England. This creates a growing BNG market where grassland BNG units are among the most sought after due to being a habitat commonly impacted on development sites. The Role of Grassland BNG Units Grasslands are a vital part of the natural environment, supporting a wide range of habitat communities. Because of this, grassland BNG units often hold significant biodiversity value. Developers may need to purchase grassland units to offset biodiversity loss if their projects have impacted similar grassland habitats, ensuring that like-for-like compensation is achieved. Through carefully managed habitat banks, land managers create or enhance grassland habitats, providing off-site biodiversity gains that can be sold to developers. This approach not only helps developers achieve BNG policy compliance but also supports nature recovery and benefits local communities through the creation of new habitats. On-Site vs Off-Site Options Developers are expected to follow the biodiversity gain hierarchy, starting with habitat improvements on their land. However, not every development site has the capacity to achieve the necessary uplift in site biodiversity units, especially in dense urban areas. When on-site measures are insufficient, off-site habitat options provide a flexible route to achieve BNG. Buying BNG units through a purchase agreement with a unit provider can offer certainty and reduce delays, provided that the site is registered on the Gains Site Register and a legal agreement is in place to secure the long-term delivery of the habitat improvements (or that these agreements will be in place by the time the landowner needs to purchase the units in full). Key Considerations for Developers For those seeking grassland BNG units for sale, there are several key considerations. Developers must work with a consultant ecologist, in most cases, to calculate the number of biodiversity units their project requires by first establishing the site’s pre-development biodiversity baseline. They must then determine whether the required biodiversity gains can be achieved on-site or if off-site units will be needed to meet their obligations. When relying on off-site units. The planning system requires full details of any biodiversity gain plan, including the location of units – developers should search for local biodiversity units as a priority, to maximise ecological value and comply with BNG policy. Units can be sourced from further afield, but more units may need to be purchased due to the spatial risk associated. habitat types involved. The Importance of Legal Agreements and Monitoring BNG delivery involves more than simply purchasing biodiversity units; it requires long-term, legally binding commitments. For on-site gains, developers must secure the habitat enhancements through a legal mechanism, such as a planning condition, a planning obligation (Section 106 agreement) to ensure the improvements are delivered and maintained for at least 30 years. For off-site gains, the land providing the biodiversity units must also be secured through a legal agreement, typically a conservation covenant or Section 106, guaranteeing the same long-term management and protection. In both cases, ongoing monitoring and reporting is required to demonstrate that the habitats are being maintained in the promised condition and that the biodiversity net gain units are delivering genuine, measurable improvements. The Growing BNG Market As new developments continue to expand, demand for off-site biodiversity units is increasing. This demand is creating new income streams for land managers while providing developers with reliable ways to meet their BNG requirements. For many, purchasing grassland BNG units is the most practical and effective way to meet obligations without causing a net loss of biodiversity. Supporting Developers Through the Transition At Civity, we provide an end-to-end service that connects landowners and developers to deliver high-quality grassland BNG units. We work closely with landowners to identify suitable sites and support them through the process of habitat creation, management planning, and formal registration, ensuring that biodiversity units are produced in line with BNG requirements. At the same time, we work with developers to supply the right types of units to meet their project obligations, simplifying what can often be a complex and technical process. Our expertise in habitat delivery, ecology and regulatory compliance ensures that every transaction supports genuine biodiversity gains while helping developers meet their legal requirements under the Environment Act. By bridging the gap between unit supply and demand, we make it easier for all parties to achieve measurable, long-term improvements for nature.