A Planning and Development Guide to Biodiversity Net Gain Regulations

To preserve and enhance wildlife habitats, developers need to follow the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) regulations. These seek to ensure that natural habitats benefit from developments, and that they aren’t negatively affected by any processes leading or construction in the build-up.

At The Habitat Restoration Co., we believe in providing protection to the environment with our sustainable land management services. In this guide, we’ll offer advice on how biodiversity net gain can be achieved for your planning and development.

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How do BNG Regulations Affect Developers and Local Planning Authorities?

It’s important to comply with the BNG regulations to make sure your project runs smoothly. Failure to comply can lead to development roadblocks including fines or even habitat remodelling. For this reason, it’s crucial to have an understanding of the regulations involved and who they affect. For BNG regulations, this includes:

  • Developers of major developments
  • Developers working on small sites (as of 2nd April 2024)
  • Developers working on any nationally significant infrastructure (as of late November 2025)
  • Land Managers wishing to sell to the BNG market
  • Local Planning Authorities

How to Measure Biodiversity Net Gain

Government regulations surrounding biodiversity net gain propose that developers must deliver a BNG of 10%. But what does this mean? And how is BNG measured?

To measure BNG, standardised units of biodiversity are used, with each habitat containing a number of biodiversity units depending on its size, quality, location, and habitat type. As well as adding biodiversity units, development can also take away biodiversity units.

When measuring biodiversity value, it is useful to seek the advice of an ecologist. They will assist in measuring the biodiversity value of your habitat as it stands and make recommendations for habitat creation or enhancement that might be possible for your land.

During this assessment, an ecologist or other assessor will use a biodiversity metric that calculates how many units are present in a habitat before a development. The metric will also allow assessors to establish how many units must be replaced during the development process to ensure the project achieves the required 10% BNG.
The number of biodiversity units for a development can be calculated using the statutory biodiversity metric tool.

How to Ensure BNG Compliance

BNG regulations require developers to achieve a 10% biodiversity net gain. To track this goal, you need to record the BNG metrics for both before a project takes place and after it has been completed. The first value will help inform your BNG plan, while the second will show how successful you’ve been in implementing it – along with how much more you may still need to do.

Under the UK Environment Act, any developments that require a biodiversity net gain need to submit a BNG plan to a planning authority, which then must be approved before work can proceed. This plan will include the details for the site itself, alongside any plans for off-site nature recovery.

Some developers plan to meet their requirements by setting aside land on their site for new habitat creation. However, this isn’t always achievable by using on-site space. In these cases, developers need to find and enhance offsite habitats to meet their BNG requirements.

If a developer continues to fall short of their required BNG, it is possible to purchase statutory credits. These credits are a last resort to acquire the biodiversity units needed to achieve an overall net gain. This solution should only be used in situations where all other avenues have been reviewed and are not an advised route for fulfilling your requirements.

Reach BNG Compliance with The Habitat Restoration Co.

BNG is a vital part of any development. It ensures our habitats continue to thrive, preserving the natural environment while protecting the diverse habitats of the UK.

To comply with regulations and make a real impact on your BNG efforts, you need to work with a trusted land management and restoration company like The Habitat Restoration Company. We provide a professional service for habit restoration, helping you achieve your targets. Contact us today!

How Nutrient Neutrality Laws Help to Protect Wetlands

The health of our wetlands and water sources is vital.

They support many forms of life and natural environments, and ensure we have access to clean water. In the UK, efforts to care for the environment have recently focused on nutrient neutrality and protecting critical natural areas.

Our work at The Habitat Restoration Company revolves around protecting the natural environment, including our wetlands. In this article, we’ll explain what nutrient neutralist means, why it’s essential, where it applies, and how to achieve it.

What are Nutrient Neutrality Laws?

In the UK, nutrient neutrality laws help protect the environment by focusing on reducing the effects of human building on natural water. They concentrate on sensitive water, such as in wetlands. These laws ensure that new building projects don’t add unwanted nutrients to the environment which could lower water quality.

The Role of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act is crucial. It promotes nutrient neutrality as part of its environmental safeguards, providing thorough checks to minimise the environmental impact of new construction which must be passed before approval.
The Act balances urban growth and protecting the environment. It ensures that community improvements align with sustainability and meet strict environmental rules, showing the government’s commitment to sustainable development.

How does Nutrient Neutrality Protect Wetlands and Water Sources?

Nutrient neutrality is all about stopping eutrophication. This happens when water areas get too many nutrients, which causes plants to grow too much. This excessive growth decreases the oxygen in the water, which is bad for fish and other water life.

Preventing Eutrophication

When nutrient-rich runoff from farms, cities, and industries enters the water, it can cause the number of algae and water plants to increase – using up oxygen in the water. Low oxygen can harm water ecosystems, killing fishing and causing harm to many types of wildlife. Nutrient neutrality aims to stop harmful substances from getting into sensitive ecosystems, keeping the natural balance and ensuring wetlands and water sources stay healthy.

Supporting Biodiversity

Wetlands are home to many plants and animals. They are also a vital natural feature that helps control floods, clean water, and store carbon. By applying nutrient neutrality rules, we can better protect these areas. This allows them to support many species vital for keeping ecosystems strong, which is of particular import with regards to the challenges and dangers of climate change.

Which Local Authorities are Affected by Nutrient Neutrality?

Nutrient neutrality laws matter most in places at risk of nutrient pollution. These places often have large water bodies and sensitive environments that need protection.

Local authorities in areas like Hampshire and Herefordshire deal with higher-risk regions. These regions have many protected wetlands which they need to monitor, ensuring that new developments do not harm water quality. Local governments work closely with developers in these areas, preventing new projects from adding any more harmful nutrients to the environment.

How to Achieve Nutrient Neutrality

Detailed planning and teamwork among different groups are essential to achieve nutrient neutrality. Here are some strategies and methods that can be used:

Strategic Planning and Assessment

  • Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs): These are essential for determining how new building projects might affect local natural areas. They show how many nutrients might be added to the environment, alongside what actions are needed to prevent damage.
  • Nutrient Budgeting: This calculates the expected nutrients in an area, looking at both the nutrients coming in and going out. This information helps make better decisions about using land without harming the environment.

Technological Solutions and Best Practices

  • Advanced Wastewater Treatment: This uses methods like biofiltration, special membranes in reactors, and advanced chemical processes to significantly lower the nutrients in wastewater before it goes back into nature.
  • Sustainable Agricultural Practices: These encourage farmers to use special fertilisers that release nutrients slowly. Farmers should also grow different crops and set up buffer zones around fields. These steps can stop nutrients from washing into rivers and lakes.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement

  • Education and Awareness: Teaching people about the importance of nutrient control can help the community, supporting efforts to keep the environment healthy.
  • Working together: Collaboration between developers, environmental groups, local officials, and local people can create better and lasting ways to manage nutrients.

Achieve Nutrient Neutrality with The Habitat Restoration Company

Enforcing nutrient neutrality laws is critical. They protect the UK’s land and water from too much building and nutrient pollution. We can keep our lively and healthy natural environments by helping everyone understand these rules.

To achieve nutrient neutrality, we need to work together, helping plant and animal life prosper for future generations. Keep this essential natural balance throughout your developments by working with The Habitat Restoration Company. For more information about how we can help, see our services or get in touch today!