Biodiversity Net Gain

  • Nature Inclusive blocks of concrete, covered with green algae and seaweed in Newlyn Harbour

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) legislation has affected most development projects in England from January 2024.

Almost all new development projects must achieve at least a 10% increase in biodiversity through habitat creation or enhancement, or through the purchase of biodiversity credits.

Here at Exo Environmental, we have worked to accumulate a skilled team with an excellent understanding of how BNG legislation will be implemented and the impacts this will have on development projects across the country.

We also acknowledge the role that we can play in helping developers to achieve their BNG requirements, through the provision of our consultation and surveying services as a ‘competent person’.

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case Studies

 

  • In October 2024, Exo Environmental were approached by North Norfolk District Council to carry out a BNG survey for the resurfacing of a cliffside car park on Runton Road in Cromer.

    We evaluated the site area using a combination of both satellite imagery and on-site visits to determine four factors: the types of habitat present, their area in hectares, their distinctiveness, and their condition.

    Our team then used the BNG metric to give each of these factors a score, which were then used to calculate the pre-development and the post-development biodiversity value of the site. This then enabled us to determine if any actions needed to be taken to comply with the Biodiversity Net Gain legislation and deliver the mandatory 10% increase in biodiversity.

    In this case, the recommendations were fairly simple: reduce mowing pressure on the grassland and monitor natural wildflower colonisation (and only intervene if necessary). This allowed the client to fulfil their BNG responsibilities whilst achieving their project aims.

  • Description text gIn 2025, Exo Environmental were contracted by Arthur Consultancy Services to prepare a BNG survey for a silo building project at Premier Nutrition in Rugeley, Staffordshire.

    Despite only being 0.84ha in size, the site was still assessed under the statutory metric for large sites because of its extremely close proximity to the Cannock Chase National Landscape.

    We assessed this site via satellite and street view images and in-person site visits for the four BNG factors: the types of habitat present, their area in hectares, their distinctiveness, and their condition.

    Upon calculation using the BNG metric, we found that, without intervention, the project would cause a 7.72% loss to the site’s biodiversity. However, the proposed solutions for enabling a 10% gain in biodiversity were relatively straightforward: the planting of 3 medium sized, native trees, grassland enhancement (by reducing mowing intensity and sowing commercial seed mixes), and the creation of a small number of new hedgerows.

    These solutions were recommended to the client in the form of a BNG statement, which is a document provided alongside the completed BNG metric to  evidence 10% net gain and compliance with the regulations, which is then submitted to the Local Planning Authority (LPA).oes here