Our mission is to give you BNG certainty
For the past 18 months we have done a deep dive into Biodiversity Net Gain and Property Development, and it revealed just how complex this space is. The learning curve has been steep for everyone. Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) has added a whole new layer to an already complicated planning process.
We have spoken to literally hundreds of property developers, planning consultants, architects, ecologists and habitat providers. The legislation is new, and there’s a lot of uncertainty around it. Everyone is trying to figure out just what the heck they are in for.
On one side, developers are navigating slow, lengthy projects that can span years. They face multiple hurdles—planning permissions, environmental issues, and even risk management. On the other side, rewilding and habitat restoration projects are long-term commitments. These aim to improve ecosystems over 30 years, requiring upfront investment and strategic planning.
At Biodiversity Units UK we thought we could build a simple technology platform to facilitate this. But we were wrong. The needs are much more complex, and much more important.
Which is why we have focused on a mission of giving developers ‘BNG Certainty’ and bringing simplicity to the BNG process wherever we can.
The Nightmare Scenario
For many developers, it feels like walking through a minefield—one wrong step could cost hundreds of thousands of pounds. And we’re not talking about small risks.
The Nightmare Scenario is real: spending £250,000 or even £500,000 on biodiversity units, only to find out later that you bought the wrong stuff and can’t use it. Now stuck with units that can’t help you get through planning or are stopping you from commencing construction.
As our founder - Ian Hambleton - puts it, “Imagine going to your boss and saying, ‘I’ve just spent 500 grand on a bunch of BNG Units that are not right. And by the way, we’re not going to get that project through planning because of it.’ You don’t want to be that person.”
The uncertainty of new legislation means that developers are often left guessing.
What will actually get them through planning?
When should they buy the credits?
How much will it cost?
There’s so much riding on these decisions.
Finding Clarity
This is where the concept of BNG Certainty comes into play. It’s about removing the guesswork, so developers don’t have to live in fear. With more BNG certainty, developers can create a clear path forward. They know they’re buying the right biodiversity units at the right time, for the right project, and they can move forward with confidence.
Ian is passionate about this: “It’s not just about buying something and hoping it works out. We’re helping developers navigate the process so they don’t make innocent mistakes. This stuff is complicated, and there’s a lot of money on the line.”
With the right guidance, developers can avoid buying units they can't use.
They can time purchases correctly and make sure that planning applications sail through smoothly. “If you're seeing the BNG metrics for the first time, and it's a tiny part of your job, you haven’t got a hope. It’s like this crazy Excel sheet with formulas you’ve never seen before.”
The uncertainty around BNG can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.
Understanding What Biodiversity Net Gain Is
So how do developers avoid this “Nightmare Scenario”? It starts with understanding what biodiversity units actually are. They’re not just a tick-box for compliance—they’re a commitment to improving land over time. “People come to me with beautiful woodlands thinking they can sell them as BNG units,” Ian says. “I have to tell them, no, because they’re already amazing!”
Biodiversity units are about the delta—the improvement from what the land was to what it will become. Developers need to know that they're investing in transforming poor-quality land into something better.
And the timing is crucial. If they buy too early or too late, they risk getting stuck with units they can’t use when they need them.
This is where finding BNG certainty becomes invaluable.
By working with people like us - who understand the legislation, the planning process, and the risks - developers can make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes. “You’re not getting this from an ecologist or a planning consultant,” Ian says. “We’re guiding people through every step of the process, making sure they get it right.”
A New Mindset: Developers Embracing BNG
Interestingly, once developers get past the initial frustration, many are starting to embrace BNG. They understand that people care about the environment and that their projects are more likely to face opposition if they don’t include environmental benefits.
"When they get beyond the frustration of solving this pain point, they're actually quite in favour of it," says Ian.
BNG gives developers an opportunity to contribute positively to the environment. It's not just about meeting legal requirements—it's about creating a legacy of greener, more sustainable communities. And with the right support, they can do that with confidence, avoiding the risks and uncertainties that come with navigating new legislation on their own.
Why Biodiversity Matters - for You and Your Family
As we have seen, biodiversity isn’t just about preserving nature—it’s about creating healthier, happier environments for people and their families. It is increasing the quality of what is already there, not simply keeping it the same.
Imagine taking your kids to a park filled with wildflowers, birds, and natural beauty. When local ecosystems thrive, we all benefit. Cleaner air, more green spaces, and richer wildlife all contribute to our overall well-being. That’s the vision behind biodiversity net gain (BNG)—bringing nature closer to home and making it part of our everyday lives.
It’s about more than fighting climate change in the abstract - this is something real, something you can see and experience every day. As our founder Ian Hambleton puts it, "bringing nature closer to you is emotionally powerful".
The Importance of BNG Legislation
BNG is a smart piece of legislation. It's not just another bureaucratic hurdle; it's about ensuring that developers don’t just offset their environmental impact but actively improve the natural world by at least 10%. Before this, developments could chip away at ecosystems, leaving communities worse off. Now, developers have to give something back—creating greener spaces that benefit everyone.
And this isn’t just a short-term fix. BNG locks in positive environmental changes for 30 years, ensuring that the benefits last for future generations. This kind of forward-thinking legislation is essential for both the planet and the people who live on it.
Developers are now part of a bigger mission, contributing to a greener, healthier world.
Helping you get BNG Certainty
As the market matures, our goal is to make BNG easier to navigate and more predictable for developers. Ian’s vision is clear: “I want us to be the number one player for BNG. I want to be like the booking.com of BNG.”
That means offering an end-to-end service, from helping developers assess land to securing the right biodiversity units. With innovations like satellite imagery and AI to assess habitats, the future of BNG could be much simpler. But for now, the focus is on guiding developers through this complex landscape, giving them the certainty they need to avoid the Nightmare Scenario and build projects that benefit both people and the planet.
By achieving BNG certainty, developers can confidently move forward, knowing they’re not just complying with the law but actively improving the environment—and that’s something we can all feel good about.