HOW TO ACHIEVE BIODIVERSITY
NET GAIN
SOLUTIONS THAT BENEFIT YOUR PROJECT AND THE ENVIRONMENT
DM offers a holistic BNG service, drawing on our multi-disciplinary skill sets and knowledge in ecology, planning, land and geomatics - to make sure we can deliver the BNG requirements of your project.
Caroline Morris BNG Lead
BNG SERVICES
FIELDWORK, SURVEY AND REPORTING
- Habitat classification surveying and condition assessment
- Statutory biodiversity metric calculations and BNG statement production
- Appraisal of off-site options
- BNG feasibility and optioneering
- Habitat management and monitoring plan production
- Biodiversity gain plan
- Negotiation of options agreements, leases and S106 agreements
- Purchase of biodiversity units and registration on the Biodiversity Gain Sites Register
- On-site habitat enhancement and creation design
- Advice on strategic use of land portfolios and off-site property
- Post-development habitat monitoring and reporting
WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE DM FOR YOUR BNG NEEDS
PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REQUIREMENTS
Our holistic approach to project delivery means we consider your BNG requirements from the outset
RECOGNISE IMPLICATIONS OF 30-YEAR GUARANTEES
We avoid conflict with future land use potential and expansion
TIMESCALES AND COSTS
We can provide multiple options applicable to your project parameters
UNDERSTANDING BNG FROM OUR CLIENTS' PERSPECTIVE
Our knowledge of the legislation ensures you receive the most pragmatic BNG advice available:
- In-house qualified and CIEEM registered ecologists can undertake habitat surveys, metric calculation, and habitat design, management planning, and monitoring for your project.
- Early engagement with DM’s ecologists can help identify your preferred BNG strategy. We can then work with your designers to incorporate any necessary biodiversity enhancements.
- DM can coordinate and undertake your habitat conditions assessment at the same time as other ecological surveys making cost efficiencies wherever possible.
NEW BNG RULES ON NSIPS: WHAT ARE THEY AND WHAT IMPACT MIGHT THEY HAVE?
A new 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) target is due to come into force for National Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) in May 2026. We look at the details of its changes and how it will impact on these projects.
Background to BNG
Set out under Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (inserted by Schedule 14 of the Environment Act 2021), BNG is a mandatory requirement for developers working on projects requiring planning in England. It requires the delivery of additional or enhanced habitats as part of development proposals which require planning permission (subject to some exemptions).
Under BNG targets, proposals must provide a 10% increase on pre-development biodiversity units. This can be done on-site, off-site or by purchasing units or statutory biodiversity credits. Any habitats provided have to be maintained for a minimum of 30 years (as set out in a legal agreement and/or by condition).
Why are NSIPs going to be subject to BNG?
DEFRA launched a consultation on the implementation of BNG requirements in January 2022. Initially, the Government considered NSIP projects to have ‘fundamentally different characteristics to other development types’ which validated their exemption from BNG.
However, the consultation raised widespread concerns that exempting NSIPs meant the most environmentally impactful developments weren’t subject to sustainable regulations. As a result, the Environment Bill (section 99 and Schedule 15 of the Environment Act 2021) was amended, meaning BNG targets are expected to apply to NSIPs as of May 2026.
This means, as of the above date, NSIP developers will have to consider BNG as part of their proposals.
How can DM help developers with BNG?
DM takes a holistic, strategic approach to all developments. We make sure your BNG plans are feasible for both current and future development plans and do not conflict with any expansion plans or operational needs.
Our engaging with the process as early as possible means you have more time to pull in all the disciplines required and map out potential opportunities. An added advantage is that you will avoid incurring unnecessary planning or project delays later on.
At an initial stage, prior to attending site, we can work with you to explore possible options for BNG enhancements to ensure baseline surveys cover potential options, avoiding the need for further visits. We can then explore options further identifying constraints and opportunities, in order to deliver the best strategy for achieving BNG.
BNG CASE STUDIES
GAS
Purchase of habitat units for kiosk development
BNG was secured for 30 years as part of a project to deliver full planning permission for the construction of a secure kiosk housing gas supply infrastructure. Despite the site having exemption under BNG legislation, Liverpool Council’s local BNG policy did require an uplift in biodiversity which we achieved through the purchase of habitat units.
WATER
On-site BNG for detention basin development
Two hydraulically connected detention basins were subject to mandatory BNG with a planning red line boundary of circa 0.35 hectares. DM recommended design changes to the access track and the basin shape to avoid woodland areas of high habitat value, a Local Wildlife Site (LWS) and minimisation of tree loss. This resulted in on-site area habitat net gain of 13.31%.