What is Biodiversity Net Gain?
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an approach that aims to leave the natural environment in a better state than it was before. Under the Environment Act 2021, it is a mandatory requirement for developers (in England) to demonstrate that their project delivers 10% net gain in biodiversity.
The BNG process requires developers to plan into their project increases in natural habitats and ecological features.
Ecus can provide the full range of services from project-level BNG assessment and BNG plans, strategic BNG advice for local planning authorities and habitat design, creation and management services for compensation providers.
BNG news & insights
Biodiversity Net Gain: What’s the latest?
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is now mandatory for major developments in England. We outline the terminology, tools, metrics and guidance developers should be aware of.
Biodiversity Net Gain: Aftercare is not an afterthought
How can organisations involved in development projects ensure that their investment in habitat creation is not lost to easily avoidable oversights?
Environmental Net Gain is the next step to recovering our environment
We explain what is meant by Environmental Net Gain and Natural Capital in simple terms so you and your business can stay abreast of future legislation.
Biodiversity Net Gain and Conservation Covenants
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an approach that aims to leave the natural environment in a better state than it was before.
Working with Devon County Council to improve Stover Country Park
Ecus worked with Devon County Council to improve Stover Country Park – delivering Ecological Impact Assessment, SSSI assessment, and Biodiversity Net Gain.
We’re working with Network Rail to reduce flooding at Hele in Devon
Ecus worked with Network Rail to conduct a BNG assessment and make plans for flood reduction in the Hele area - read on to find out how.
Biodiversity Net Gain services
If you’re a developer, you must mitigate for biodiversity loss as part of your development plans. If you can’t do this, you must create compensatory habitat either on-site or off-site.
Our BNG services include project-level BNG assessments and plans, strategic advice for local planning authorities and landowners, and creation and management services for habitat compensation providers.
BNG projects
Station Approach Hereford
Our landscape team worked on the Landscape Strategy through to detailed Soft and Hard Landscape Design for Station Approach.
Manchester Metrolink – Ecology Surveys
Ecology surveys and management plan on the Manchester Metrolink network.
Working with Network Rail on Viaducts in Cumbria
Ecus worked with Network Rail over the summer as they carried out vital engineering and construction repairs to the Long Meg and Eden Goods viaducts in Cumbria.
Ecus’s project-level experience in addressing BNG extends across a range of development types
In advance of the Biodiversity Net Gain requirements of the Environment Act, many of our clients have planned to implement their approaches and procedures to meet the requirements. As a result, our Ecology Teams have developed new approaches to meet these evolving requirements for both strategic, organisational-level services and project-level interventions.
As a multi-disciplinary consultancy with more than 60 ecologists and a habitats creation team across 10 offices in the UK, we are also able to provide national coverage. Our staff bring extensive experience in habitat accounting using the Biodiversity Metric 3.0, JNCC Phase 1, National Vegetation Classification (NVC), the UK Habitats Classification, and the Environment Agency River Habitat Survey methodology. We also have experience in developing, implementing and monitoring habitat creation and management plans across a range of projects and sites in the context of BNG.
What you need to know about Biodiversity Net Gain
In this video, we break down everything you need to know about BNG.
