Developers and Builders
Biodiversity Net Gain without unnecessary complexity
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is now a routine part of the planning process for most developments, but it is still unfamiliar to many developers and builders encountering it for the first time.
From a development perspective, BNG is not an abstract ecological concept — it is a planning requirement that needs to be satisfied clearly, correctly, and without delaying delivery.
This page is written for developers and builders who want to understand how Biodiversity Net Gain affects their project and how it can be delivered efficiently.
When Biodiversity Net Gain becomes an issue
Biodiversity Net Gain typically becomes a consideration during planning, once ecological assessments and site layouts are being finalised.
Where on-site habitat creation or enhancement cannot achieve the required 10% biodiversity net gain, off-site delivery may be needed.
This can be due to site constraints, layout priorities, viability, or the practicalities of managing habitats within a development.
Off-site Biodiversity Net Gain in practice
Off-site Biodiversity Net Gain allows developers to meet planning requirements by securing biodiversity improvements at an alternative location.
Rather than trying to force habitat creation into unsuitable sites, off-site delivery provides a practical route to compliance while allowing development to proceed as intended.
Off-site delivery is an accepted and intended part of the BNG framework and is commonly used across a wide range of development types.
What developers typically need from BNG
For most developers and builders, the priorities around Biodiversity Net Gain are clear.
- Certainty around what is required
- Clarity on cost and timing
- A process that aligns with planning conditions
- Confidence that outcomes will be accepted by planning authorities
BNG works best when it is approached as a structured, procedural task rather than an open-ended design challenge.
A clear, step-by-step route to compliance
Delivering Biodiversity Net Gain off-site follows a clear process, from understanding the requirement through to allocating units and completing compliance.
By setting out each step clearly, developers can see exactly what happens, when commitment occurs, and what documentation is provided.
This reduces uncertainty, supports decision-making, and helps keep projects moving through planning.
Designed to support delivery
Our approach to BNG compliance is built around the realities of development.
We recognise the importance of programme, viability, and planning outcomes, and we structure off-site delivery so that it supports — rather than disrupts — project delivery.
This allows developers and builders to focus on delivering their projects, confident that Biodiversity Net Gain is being handled clearly and correctly.
Next steps for developers and builders
If your project cannot achieve the required biodiversity net gain on-site, the next step is to understand the scale of the off-site requirement.
This provides early visibility on options, timescales, and the route to securing compliance.
Simply delivering Biodiversity Net Gain.