DEVELOPERS
We combine ecological expertise with commercial awareness to deliver practical, cost-effective BNG strategies and support developers throughout the process to meet legal requirements and development goals.
What does BNG mean for developers?
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BNG is now a legal requirement for most developments, meaning projects must deliver at least a 10% improvement in biodiversity.
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This ensures that biodiversity is not negatively impacted by new development, and means a development will result in more or better quality natural habitat than there was before.
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For developers, it’s about designing with nature in mind — meeting planning rules while creating lasting environmental value.
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Through considering a project's BNG strategy at the outset, developers can optimise their project with the opportunity to be creative about incorporating nature, making developments more attractive for potential residents, end users and the local community and making BNG easier and more cost-effective to deliver.​​​
How we work with developers
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Navigating BNG requirements can be complex — that’s where we come in.
Whether you’re preparing your planning application or meeting post-consent commitments, we can help you achieve your BNG targets efficiently, ensuring your developments remain compliant, deliver lasting environmental benefits and meet your commercial goals.
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From site assessments and feasibility studies to optimising layouts, obtaining planning approval, implementing BNG and long-term management, we provide practical solutions and expert guidance at every stage of the process.
Our team can help you identify off-site options where needed and ensure all BNG requirements are met efficiently and effectively. By working with us, you can be confident your project will not only meet legal obligations but also deliver lasting environmental value and positive biodiversity results.
BNG delivery options for developers
Developers can meet BNG requirements through a range of strategic options, which may be combined to meet legal requirements.
These options must be applied in line with the biodiversity gain hierarchy, delivering on-site BNG first where possible, then using off-site BNG units, and as a last resort purchasing statutory biodiversity credits.
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We will look at the options that deliver the best strategy for your development based on the existing habitat on site, the development proposals and the required BNG outcomes.​
1. On-Site
Retain and enhance as much habitat as possible within the proposed development red-line boundary.​ Habitat improvements incorporated in the scheme must deliver at least 10% more biodiversity units than were present pre-development.
2. Create your Own Off-Site Units
BNG units can be created on other land owned outside of the development red-line boundary. If developers are delivering BNG gains off-site on their own land, these units must be legally secured.
3. Purchase Habitat Bank Units​
If BNG requirements cannot be delivered on either the development site or on other land the developer owns, off-site BNG units can be purchased from landowners or habitat banks. These BNG units must be legally secured by the landowner.
4. Statutory Credits
If developers are unable to achieve BNG on-site, off-site or from BNG units, they are required to purchase statutory biodiversity credits from the government. This is a last resort. The revenue is used to fund habitat creation across England.
The BNG process for developers
We use our multidisciplinary expertise to offer a fully integrated joined-up approach to the design and implementation of BNG for your site.
We work with developers at every stage of the BNG process, from initial feasibility, site layout and overall strategy to pre- and post-planning and legal requirements, habitat creation and long-term monitoring and reporting of habitat works.​​​​​
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Establish if BNG Applies
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Site Feasibility
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Baseline Assessments & Statutory Metric
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Site Design & Development of BNG Strategy
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Planning Submission
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Post Planning Services
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Monitoring and Reporting of Habitat Works
Practical guidance at every stage.
Services
Pre-Planning
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Initial screening and confirming BNG applicability
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Site Exemption Statement
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Desktop feasibility assessment​
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Baseline Habitat Survey and Condition Assessment​
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Baseline UK Habitat Plan
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Baseline and Final Statutory Biodiversity Metric Calculation
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Ecological Assessment
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Protected Species Survey
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Work with project team to determine the best site layout
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Draft Post-Intervention UK Habitat Plan
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Draft Statutory Biodiversity Metric Calculation
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Baseline and Final Post-Intervention UK Habitat Plan
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BNG Summary Report
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Ongoing support during the planning application
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Proposed Landscape Masterplan & Detailed Planting Plans
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Draft Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP)
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Tree Survey, Arboricultural Impact and Method Statement, Tree Protection Plan
Post-Planning
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Biodiversity Gain Plan with supporting documentation
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Finalised Statutory Biodiversity Metric Calculation
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Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP) for significant on-site habitat enhancement and/or creation
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Habitat Banking support for off-site land
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Habitat Monitoring Survey and Condition Assessment
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BNG Audit Report and remedial recommendations​