BNG can be a controversial subject. Is it a planning hold up? Is it a drain on project budgets? Is it an effective way to improve the local environment, or a way to send the problem elsewhere?

With all those discussions ongoing, it is easy to put on blinkers and focus solely on the questions of locality and price. The best option for discharging BNG might well be the cheapest option around the corner… or it might not.

BNG is a relatively new concept. Since February 2024, BNG has been mandatory for major developments, with smaller sites brought into force in April 2024. Many BNG suppliers have not yet proved themselves against the rigorous audits carried out by Local Planning Authorities, because their habitats are not fully established. You will need to look elsewhere to understand whether a supplier will be able to manage the full 30-year term required for BNG fulfilment. Here are some questions you need to ask to make sure you’re really making the right decision on your BNG units.

Is the site registered?

Every site must be on the Biodiversity Gain Site Register, beginning a 30-year process of planting, monitoring and auditing, designed to make sure changes are effective in improving biodiversity.

Choosing an unregistered site increases your options for location but threatens build timelines. To be registered, a site must have a Section 106 or Conservation Covenant. These legal requirements cover ecology, access, ownership and many more. An unregistered site puts you at great risk of not being able to discharge your BNG and may significantly delay your build.

What support is provided?

BNG can be complicated. Understanding unit deficits in the initial metric, intricate trading rules across habitat types and spatial risk multipliers can all stand in the way of finding the best value option for your development.

It is worth investigating whether your BNG supplier has expertise in planning and development, and whether this consultation comes at an additional cost. A supplier who fully understands the planning process and can carry out the analysis required can provide a significantly better offering, protect you from obstacles to planning approval and ensure reliable discharge of your BNG.

Habitat quality and monitoring

Many BNG habitats are focused purely on meeting the minimum requirement of Local Authority audits, with planting completed on closed sites and measured impact on biodiversity. Other sites are carefully monitored for animal movement, insect populations, birdsong and soil health, ensuring that the legally required planting transforms into tangible, long term impact on local and regional wildlife.

Some suppliers carefully place their habitat banks to benefit from existing points of environmental interest, such as ancient woodlands, SSSIs and watercourses. These create key transition habitats which multiply the effect of new planting on wildlife in any given area.

Open site or closed space?

While some habitats are closed off, many are open to the public. Open sites welcome developers looking to do their due diligence, giving you a hands-on view of where and how your units are created.

Open sites also provide a valuable local resource to your residents. Habitat banks offer a rare direct connection with nature, where people can see wildlife thriving in a tailor-made environment. Bee hotels, badger setts, bird boxes and trail cameras allow visitors a close-up view of the natural world.

Assessing your options for discharging BNG

In an increasingly noisy industry, it can be difficult to decide between one BNG unit and the other. By asking these questions, you can safeguard your build schedule, protect yourself from liability, support your residents and make a practical, positive impact on the natural world.