Our Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment Services
Trusted Biodiversity Net Gain Consultants for Your Development
Planning a development project? Ensuring compliance with mandatory biodiversity net gain regulations is crucial for gaining planning permission. At ACP, we provide comprehensive Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments and surveys that meet the latest planning requirements. Our team ensures that your project enhances natural habitats, aligns with mandatory BNG principles, and helps you achieve biodiversity net gain. We also ensure that your project complies with pre-development and post-development requirements. Trust ACP to help you gain planning permissions while delivering measurable biodiversity improvements.
Key Services
- Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Assessments
- Biodiversity Metric Calculations and Analysis
- Biodiversity Offsetting Plans
- Landscape and Biodiversity Enhancement and Management Plans (LBEMP)
- Biodiversity Monitoring, Reporting, and Compliance
- Habitat Creation and Enhancement Plans
- Stakeholder and Local Authority Engagement
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You can also drop us an email at hello@acp-consultants.com and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours to help with your inquiry!
They Trust Us
Trusted by 200+ Companies & Clients Every Year
With experts who have a proven track record of delivering exceptional environmental consulting services, Our Biodiversity Net Gain Survey Consultants are the trusted partner for companies and developers across the UK. We don’t just stop at issuing reports – we see your project through from start to finish, liaising with planning authorities and stakeholders to ensure your report is satisfactorily received by the relevant authorities.
14+ Years of Expertise
Qualified and Professional
Nationwide Coverage
From Planning to Approval
From Quote to Report: Your Project in 3 Easy Steps!
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Step 1: Request a Quote
Fill out our quick quote form or call us, and our team will provide a free, no-obligation quote, outlining the services tailored to your needs.
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Step 2: Confirm Your Booking
Once you approve the quote, simply return the project setup form. We’ll schedule your survey and ensure all the details are taken care of.
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Step 3: Receive Your Report
After your survey is completed and payment is received, we’ll promptly issue your survey report, ensuring you get the results as quickly as possible.
Understanding Biodiversity Net Gain: Watch Our YouTube Guide
Introduction to Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an approach to development that ensures projects aim to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than before. As of 12 February 2024, under the Environment Act 2021, developers need to achieve a mandatory 10% biodiversity net gain in their planning applications, ensuring that site habitats are enhanced or restored. This means developers must not only mitigate damage to biodiversity but also improve biodiversity levels pre-development and post-development.
Achieving BNG is now a fundamental requirement for planning and development projects. This approach to development ensures that projects aim to leave the environment in a measurably better state, enhancing natural habitats. As required by the Environment Act 2021 and Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, all developments need achieve at least a 10% improvement in biodiversity. At ACP Consultants Ltd., we help you calculate biodiversity net gain, ensuring your project meets all planning requirements for a biodiversity gain site.
BNG and the Local Planning Authority
Local planning authorities (LPAs) are responsible for enforcing BNG requirements, which are mandatory for all major developments from February 2024 and for small sites from 2 April 2024. LPAs will assess biodiversity gain plans as part of the planning process. Developers need to ensure their plans outline how they will enhance site biodiversity and meet the requirements for at least 30 years of biodiversity improvements. Developers also need to secure planning permissions granted by LPAs for their development plans.
The Implementation of the Environment Act 2021
The Environment Act 2021 has transformed how biodiversity is integrated into development projects. It introduces Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, making biodiversity net gain a legal requirement for planning permission. Developers will need to demonstrate measurable net gains for biodiversity using the statutory biodiversity metric tool.
As of 12 February 2024, developers must ensure that biodiversity improvements last at least 30 years through legal agreements such as conservation covenants. These agreements help ensure the protection of existing habitats on and off-site. If biodiversity cannot be enhanced within the red line boundary of the site, developers can work with land managers or opt to buy statutory biodiversity credits.
How BNG is Measured and Achieved
To achieve biodiversity net gain (BNG), developers must use the latest versions of the biodiversity metric tool, including the small sites metric, which measures biodiversity levels pre-development and post-development. This tool quantifies the condition of existing habitats and proposed improvements, ensuring the development promotes environmental sustainability. In some cases, biodiversity offsetting may be necessary when on-site improvements aren’t feasible, contributing to the long-term maintenance of biodiversity. Developers need to also consider irreplaceable habitats, which require special attention, as they cannot be easily restored.
Schedule 14 of the Environment Act 2021 emphasizes the importance of using nature-based solutions to ensure sustainable development practices. Developers need to accurately measure the statutory biodiversity metric tool to track biodiversity enhancements and ensure that biodiversity net gain (BNG) is achieved. This process requires comprehensive biodiversity metrics to assess improvements and protect ecosystems for the long term, aligning with the local nature recovery strategy (LNRS).
Understanding Off-Site Biodiversity Net Gain Options
If biodiversity gains cannot be fully achieved on-site, developers may need to work with land outside the development site or buy statutory biodiversity credits. These credits can be used to enhance biodiversity at existing or off-site locations. In cases where BNG cannot be fully met, developers need to buy statutory biodiversity credits from the government, with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) overseeing the process, ensuring the required biodiversity improvements are made elsewhere. This ensures that gains exist on-site and off-site, maintaining a balanced approach to development and conservation.
The planning process for development projects that impact priority habitats need to follow UK regulations, as it applies to England. The UK government has made mandatory biodiversity net requirements integral to the planning system, particularly for major development and nationally significant infrastructure projects. The Secretary of State plays a key role in overseeing compliance with these standards, ensuring that nature conservation goals are met and that biodiversity is protected across development in England.
Key Elements of Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments
- Pre-development baseline surveys: Assess the current biodiversity value of the site.
- Biodiversity gain plans: Outline how the development will achieve measurable biodiversity gains.
- Post-development monitoring: Ensure the site remains in a measurably better state for at least 30 years.
- Use of statutory biodiversity credits: For developments where on-site gains are not possible.
Development and BNG: Major and Minor Projects
From February 2024, all major developments need to submit biodiversity gain plans to demonstrate how they will deliver a 10% biodiversity net gain. These plans should outline how biodiversity improvements will be maintained for at least 30 years. Developers of minor sites, such as small housing projects, need to comply with BNG requirements by 2 April 2024. For sites where space is limited, developers can buy statutory biodiversity credits to ensure the project complies with biodiversity net gain requirements.
What is Required in Biodiversity Gain Plans?
- Detailed descriptions of the existing habitat.
- Proposals for biodiversity enhancements that achieve measurable net gains.
- Long-term management plans to maintain biodiversity improvements.
- Legal agreements, such as conservation covenants, to ensure compliance for 30 years.
Natural England’s Role and the Biodiversity Metric
Natural England plays a central role in ensuring that BNG is implemented correctly. They have developed the statutory biodiversity metric that all developers must use to measure the biodiversity value of a site. This metric assesses the condition, distinctiveness, and strategic significance of the habitats on site, helping determine the overall biodiversity value.
Developers need to submit a biodiversity gain plan to the local planning authority, which includes these metric calculations, showing how the development will achieve the required net gains.
The strategic significance of a site also plays a role in determining biodiversity net gain. If a site is located in an area that is important for biodiversity conservation, it may score higher in the metric tool, meaning the developer will need to make greater efforts to enhance or protect those habitats.
Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments and the Planning Process
Incorporating BNG into the planning process can be complex, but it is a crucial step in ensuring that developments contribute positively to the environment. The Environment Act 2021 has made BNG a mandatory part of gaining planning permission, requiring developers to work closely with local planning authorities and Natural England to ensure compliance.
For developers, the first step is conducting a baseline biodiversity survey of the development site. This survey will assess the current biodiversity value of the site using the statutory biodiversity metric. Based on these findings, developers can create a biodiversity gain plan that outlines how they will enhance the biodiversity value of the site.
Once the plan is submitted, the local planning authority will review it alongside the planning application. If the development is expected to result in a measurable biodiversity net gain, the planning authority should grant permission. In cases where developers cannot meet the required gains on-site, they may need to explore off-site options or purchase biodiversity credits.
In cases where on-site biodiversity gains are not feasible, developers should work with land managers or buy statutory biodiversity credits. These credits can be used to enhance biodiversity at existing or off-site locations. In some instances, developers may need to work with the government, as the government will use the revenue generated by credits to fund biodiversity improvement projects elsewhere.
Off-Site Solutions and Statutory Biodiversity Credits
When biodiversity gains cannot be achieved within the red line boundary of a development, developers can work with land outside the development site or opt to buy statutory biodiversity credits. By 12 February 2024, it will be mandatory for all developments to meet biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements, ensuring that biodiversity improvements are incorporated into development plans and maintained for at least 30 years. If on-site enhancements are not feasible, statutory biodiversity credits provide an alternative means for developers to fulfill their obligations, while the government will use the revenue from these credits to fund biodiversity projects elsewhere.
Developers need to demonstrate pre-development and post-development biodiversity improvements and outline how they will maintain biodiversity gain sites to meet the mandatory biodiversity net gain requirements. These obligations include maintaining and improving existing habitats, whether on-site or through off-site solutions. For small sites from 2 April 2024, the same standards apply, and local planning authorities will assess the planning permissions granted to ensure projects meet the required biodiversity standards.
Why Choose ACP Biodiversity Net Gain Consultants?
At ACP, we have extensive experience in providing biodiversity net gain assessments for planning applications. We guide you through the process, from pre-development surveys to development plans that ensure your project aligns with BNG regulations. We can also assist you in purchasing statutory biodiversity credits when needed, ensuring that your project meets its biodiversity obligations. Trust ACP BNG Consultants to ensure your project delivers sustainable, long-term biodiversity improvements.
Testimonial
What Client Tell About Our Services
Clients value our expertise and commitment to ensuring their projects run smoothly. From initial surveys to liaising with authorities, we offer end-to-end support that makes a real difference. Our biodiversity net gain consultants’ ability to deliver timely, accurate reports is why we’re relied upon by leading architects, developers, and planners across the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)?
BNG is an approach to development that ensures the natural environment is left in a measurably better state after development than before.
2. When does BNG become mandatory?
BNG becomes mandatory for major developments from February 2024 and for small sites from April 2024.
3. How is BNG measured?
BNG is measured using the statutory biodiversity metric tool, which quantifies the value of natural habitats before and after development.
4. What is the role of local planning authorities in BNG?
Local planning authorities are responsible for enforcing BNG requirements and ensuring that biodiversity gain plans meet the necessary criteria.
5. What are biodiversity credits?
Biodiversity credits are a way for developers to meet their biodiversity net gain obligations by purchasing credits if on-site or nearby biodiversity enhancements are not possible.
6. How long must biodiversity gains be maintained?
Biodiversity gains must be maintained for at least 30 years.
7. What is a biodiversity gain plan?
A biodiversity gain plan outlines how a development will enhance or restore biodiversity, ensuring a 10% net gain in biodiversity.
8. Can BNG be achieved off-site?
Yes, developers can achieve BNG through off-site biodiversity enhancements or by purchasing statutory biodiversity credits.
9. What is a conservation covenant?
A conservation covenant is a legally binding agreement that ensures biodiversity gains are maintained for at least 30 years.
10. Why is BNG important for planning?
BNG is essential for ensuring that developments contribute positively to the environment, enhancing natural habitats and biodiversity.irreplaceable habitat
Get in Touch Today
Need Help with Your Planning Applications?
Contact ACP for Expert Biodiversity Net Gain Survey and Assessment Advice.
Reach out to our BNG Consultants today. Our skilled team will guide you through the BNG assessment process, ensuring your project meets all planning requirements while enhancing biodiversity in line with the latest standards.
When you choose ACP, you’re partnering with experts who understand the critical role of BNG in planning. With our support, you can achieve your development goals while contributing to a healthier, more sustainable environment for all.
Simply fill out our contact form, and one of our colleagues will get in touch within 24 hours.
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Our Biodiversity Net Gain Survey content is carefully prepared and maintained by our in-house specialists to ensure accuracy, relevance, and practical insights. Each update reflects the latest in environmental consulting, providing our clients and partners with dependable guidance tailored to their project needs.
- Last Updated:
- December 2024
