Planning Applications and Biodiversity Net Gain: The Legal Role of Schedule 7A
As mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) reshapes the planning landscape in England, the legal role of Schedule 7A within the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 has become pivotal. Schedule 7A establishes the biodiversity gain condition that governs how and when BNG must be secured. Understanding Schedule 7A and the Biodiversity Gain Condition Schedule 7A introduces the biodiversity gain […]
How to Prepare Your Land for BNG Opportunities: A Practical Checklist
As mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a legal requirement for most development projects in England, landowners are seeking practical ways to unlock new income streams and contribute to the natural environment through habitat enhancement. Preparing your land to deliver BNG can position you to sell biodiversity units, support local development sites, and align with […]
What Happens if BNG Targets Aren’t Met? Exploring the Legal and Financial Risks
With mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) now a core requirement of the planning system in England, developers are expected to ensure that new projects measurably enhance rather than diminish biodiversity. But what happens if these targets aren’t met? Understanding the real-world legal and financial risks is essential for those involved in planning, development, or land […]
Property Developers’ Guide: How Biodiversity Consultancy Prevents Costly Planning Delays
The Cost of Overlooking Biodiversity in Planning For property developers, navigating the planning system has never been more complex—or more dependent on ecological compliance. With the introduction of mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) under the Environment Act, biodiversity has moved from a secondary consideration to a legal requirement. Understanding how biodiversity consultancy prevents costly planning […]
Beyond Checklists: How a Comprehensive Ecological Survey Protects Your Project and the Planet
In an era defined by rapid environmental change and an escalating biodiversity crisis, going beyond basic environmental checklists is no longer optional. For developers, planners and landowners, a comprehensive ecological survey is not just a regulatory hurdle—it’s a strategic asset for safeguarding both project viability and ecological integrity. At Civity, we undertake on-site species and […]
Biodiversity Net Gain: What Landowners Need to Know About the New Legal Landscape
Understanding Biodiversity Net Gain Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is now a legal requirement across England, transforming how development and land use are approached. For landowners, especially those in rural and peri-urban areas, the BNG framework opens new opportunities and responsibilities. The core principle is simple: any property development must leave biodiversity in a measurably better […]
Understanding Statutory Biodiversity Metrics: Tools and Resources Explained
Understanding how to measure biodiversity accurately is fundamental to achieving compliance with the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements set out under the Environment Act. At the centre of this process is the statutory biodiversity metric—a tool that helps assess the biodiversity value of a development site, evaluate potential biodiversity loss, and calculate the biodiversity gain […]
Biodiversity Net Gain: What Small Developments Need to Know Now
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is in force for most major development projects in England, and the rules apply to small development sites too. Whether you’re building one to nine dwellings or converting commercial space, understanding BNG is no longer optional.This post offers a detailed breakdown of “Biodiversity Net Gain: What Small Developments Need to Know […]
What land is suitable for a BNG habitat bank? key criteria explained
We work with landowners, developers, and local authorities to help deliver Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) that is legally compliant, ecologically sound, and financially viable. One of the most common questions we receive is: what land is suitable for a BNG habitat bank? In this blog, we explain the key criteria used to assess land for […]
What is a habitat management and monitoring plan? A practical guide for BNG projects
At Civity, we help landowners, developers, and planning authorities deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes under the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) framework. One essential document that underpins the long-term success of a BNG project is the Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP). In this guide, we answer the key question: What is a Habitat Management and Monitoring […]
