BNG Blueprint - the 5 building blocks for success
Over the past 18 months, we’ve dedicated over 2,000 hours to in-depth research on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) legislation and its impact on property developers.
This extensive effort has revealed just how intricate and challenging this space truly is. The learning curve has been steep for everyone involved.
BNG has added an entirely new level of complexity to the already demanding planning process. That’s why our mission is to provide developers with 'BNG Certainty,' simplifying the BNG process as much as possible, to bring clarity and ease to projects.
As a result we have created this BNG Blueprint.
These are 5 ‘building blocks’ that any property developer - large or small - can follow to get a good outcome both for the bottom line, and the environment. After all, this legislation puts you on the front line of biodiversity improvement (whether you like it or not) but a more diverse natural environment is great for us, and our children.
Avoiding ‘The Nightmare Scenario’
An informed and clear plan will help you avoid some of the potential pitfalls.
Imagine spending £500k or even £50k on biodiversity units, only to find out you bought the wrong ones.
This is a costly mistake many developers are at risk of making.
Uncertainty around new BNG legislation leaves developers guessing about what will get them through planning.
Alright, let’s get into the nuts and bolts of how developers can secure a BNG (Biodiversity Net Gain) solution without getting completely lost. The process can seem overwhelming at first, but once you understand the steps, it’s a lot simpler.
Here’s how it works:
Block 1: Assessment
Evaluate the land and BNG requirements, including negotiation.
Block 2: Decoding the BNG DEFRA metric
Find a supplier with the right units as close as possible to development project.
Block 3: Supplier Search & Negotiation
Secure the best supplier and negotiate transaction terms that align with your needs.
Block 4: LPA Discussions
Handle paperwork and demonstrate readiness.
Block 5: Completion:
Finalise transactions and register on the DEFRA registry, PR & promotion.
Let’s get into it…
Block 1:
The Initial Land and BNG Assessment
The first thing that happens is you’ll have commissioned an ecologist. They’re going to go in and do a baseline BNG assessment, which is basically figuring out what’s there right now. They’ll score the habitats on your site using the DEFRA metric. It's all about what’s there before the development starts—think trees, grasslands, whatever—and then overlay that with what your architect has planned.
Here’s the thing, though. The architect? Not always thinking about BNG. Like, they might be focused on design and decide, “Let’s chop down this tree; it looks better without it.” But from a BNG point of view, chopping down that tree might hit you later, costing more than you expect. 30 trees might need to be planted for every one tree removed.
What to do:
Don’t wait too long. Get us involved early because we can help guide the architect and the ecologist, making sure they consider BNG before it becomes a headache.
Block 2:
Decoding the BNG Metric
Once the ecologist has done their thing, they’ll fill out a DEFRA metric. What does that mean? It’s just a way to calculate how much biodiversity you’re losing and how much you need to make up. The problem here is, most developers don’t really get how the units break down. Let’s say the report says you’re minus 4 units. That’s not just one thing—it could be multiple habitat types, like trees, grasslands, or a mix of different things.
At this point, you’ve got a decision: Are you going to deliver those units on-site, or are you going to buy them from someone else? Or a mix of both.
What to do:
Reach out to us. We’d love to get involved even earlier, but definitely reach out when you’re looking at those units, and we’ll guide you through the process.
Block 3:
Finding and Negotiating the right BNG Units
Now you’re at the point where you need to find the units. You might think, “Let’s just grab the cheapest ones and move on,” but it’s not that simple. Some habitat types are expensive to replace—like individual trees. For every one tree you cut down, you might have to replace it with 30 others. It’s not just a straightforward swap.
What we do is help you find the units you need from one of the 50-plus habitat banks we work with. Proximity matters too—units that are close to your development are going to be cheaper than those that are further away.
What to avoid:
If someone’s offering units for less than £20,000, question it. There’s a lot involved in maintaining these habitats over 30 years, so if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Block 4:
Timing, Payment, and Planning
Here’s the part where timing matters. Developers often wonder why they should care about BNG timelines, but the reality is, BNG units aren’t just sitting on a shelf waiting for you. They take time to be registered and become available for transaction, so if you need them sooner than later, that might drive up your costs.
Another issue? Cash flow. You don’t want to put down a big deposit before planning approval, and we get that. No one wants to spend £50k on units only to fail planning later. That’s why we offer letters of support and a BNG solution methodology to show the planning authorities you’ve got a solution lined up—without having to drop loads of cash.
What to consider:
Let’s say you’ve got a construction start date in September, but the cheaper units aren’t available until next March. If you can hold off until then, it could save you some serious money.
Block 5:
Closing the Deal and Finishing the Process
Once everything’s lined up and you’ve got the right units, we help you close the deal. That means sorting out the paperwork, registering the units with DEFRA, and making sure you’ve met all the legal requirements.
At the end of it all, we’ll help you celebrate the success. You’ve met the BNG requirements, and now it’s time to tell the world about it.
What happens next:
We can help with some PR. You want people to know your development is doing something positive for biodiversity. It’s a great story, and we’ll help you make sure it gets out there.
Why you should get us involved early
Engaging with us early saves you a lot of headaches.
Architects and Planning Consultants might be focused on the aesthetics of your development, and ecologists will care deeply about the habitats—but neither of them are likely to be thinking about your costs or what BNG units are actually worth.
That’s where we come in. We know the price lists, and we can make sure you’re not overpaying or getting stuck with something you don’t need.
Key points to remember:
Engage us early to avoid big surprises later.
Make sure your architect and ecologist understand how BNG fits into the overall development.
Don’t chase the cheapest option—there’s more to it than just price.
Be mindful of timelines for unit availability.
Got questions? We’ve got answers.
We know this process isn’t straightforward, but that’s why we’re here. Whether you’re a developer just starting or already knee-deep in BNG chaos, get in touch. We’ll walk you through it, help you avoid pitfalls, and get you the right solution for your project.