Biodiversity Net Gain

BNG units explained: what they measure and how they work

Under the Environment Act 2021, the UK government has introduced Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) as a legal requirement for most development projects in England. This policy ensures that all developments leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than before development, requiring at least a 10% net gain in biodiversity units. But what exactly […]

Biodiversity net gain benefits explained: from green spaces to flood reduction

Biodiversity Net Gain represents a significant shift in how development interacts with the natural environment. Introduced through the Environment Act, biodiversity net gain legislation requires most new development in England to deliver a minimum ten per cent increase in biodiversity value, measured using a statutory biodiversity metric. While biodiversity net gain requirements are often viewed […]

BNG mitigation hierarchy explained: on-site, off-site, and statutory credits

Biodiversity Net Gain is a mandatory requirement for most planning applications in England, fundamentally changing how development interacts with the natural environment. Introduced under the Environment Act, the BNG system requires developments to deliver a minimum ten per cent net gain in biodiversity, measured using biodiversity units. At the heart of this system sits the […]

Monitoring BNG: Ensuring Biodiversity Gains Are Delivered and Maintained

Biodiversity net gain is judged on delivery, not intention. Since mandatory biodiversity net gain became a legal requirement under the Environment Act 2021, developers must show that biodiversity value will increase by at least 10%, measured in biodiversity units using the statutory biodiversity metric. What often receives less attention is the other half of the […]

What Local Planning Authorities Must Do to Deliver Biodiversity Net Gain

Biodiversity net gain is now a legal requirement in England, not an optional aspiration. Since mandatory biodiversity net gain came into force through the Environment Act 2021, local planning authorities have become the delivery engine of a statutory system designed to secure measurable biodiversity gains from development. For most planning permissions, biodiversity net gain is […]

What Is the Biodiversity Gain Plan (BGP)? A Simple Guide

Mandatory biodiversity net gain is now a central part of the planning process in England, and it affects most development projects. If you are bringing forward a development proposal, you will almost certainly need a Biodiversity Gain Plan. This blog explains what the Biodiversity Gain Plan is, why it matters, and how it fits into […]

How to Buy BNG Units: A Step-by-Step Guide

Under the UK’s Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) legislation, most developments are now legally required to deliver a measurable uplift in biodiversity. Where this uplift, known as the net gain, cannot be fully achieved on the development site, developers must buy BNG units from third-party habitat banks or, as a last resort, purchase statutory biodiversity credits […]

The UK’s BNG Legislation: Key Facts and 2025 Updates

The requirement for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) has become a statutory part of the UK planning system, with significant updates rolled out across 2024 and into 2025. Under the Environment Act, all major developments must now deliver a measurable uplift in biodiversity value, with smaller sites joining the scope from April 2024. This blog outlines […]

Is Your Site Eligible For A BNG Exemption? A Checklist Based On Latest Regulations

From February 2024, mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) became a legal requirement for most planning applications under the Environment Act 2021. While the general rule is that all major developments must deliver at least a 10% net gain in biodiversity, there are defined exemptions and carve-outs that may apply in certain cases. Understanding whether your […]