The BNG Calculator: Become A Beta Tester
Over the past two years working in the BNG market, we've noticed property developers face two distinct challenges when dealing with DEFRA Metrics:
First, interpretation is hard. The spreadsheets are technically comprehensive, but extracting the key information - which habitat types are required and how many units are needed - isn’t easy.
Second, there's no cost information. DEFRA Metrics tell you what units you need, but no indication of what those units will cost. Getting budget estimates means finding and contacting brokers or habitat banks - and waiting days or weeks for responses.
What We've Developed
We've built a tool designed to address both issues in one step.
The BNG Calculator uses AI to read your DEFRA Metric and:
Extract which habitat types you need
Estimates a price based on the latest market data from our quarterly BNG Pricing Reports.
Works out the trading rules - helping you choose the best procurement strategy
The result: developers get both clarity on their requirements and budget estimates they can use for early planning - in minutes rather than days.
The tool has been tested internally and shows a high degree of accuracy. We're now ready to test it with a wider group of users working on real projects.
Invitation to Beta Test
We're looking for 50 property developers to test the calculator and provide feedback.
As a beta tester, you'll receive:
Free access to the tool
Direct access to our team for support
Opportunity to suggest features or improvements
What we're asking:
Upload one or more DEFRA Metrics from your current projects
Review the output and let us know if it matches your understanding
Report any discrepancies or unclear results
How to Participate
We're limiting this phase to 50 testers to ensure we can provide proper support and incorporate feedback effectively.
To apply, email ian@biodiversity-units.uk
We'll be accepting testers on a first-come, first-served basis, with preference given to those working on active projects who can provide detailed feedback.