A landowner uses a habitat bank to deliver Biodiversity Net
Gain, generating income and supporting nature recovery through
legal agreements.
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a policy introduced by the
Environment Act 2021, requiring new developments in England to
result in at least a 10% increase in biodiversity compared to the
pre-development baseline. This is achieved by creating and managing
new habitats for a minimum of 30 years, ensuring that development
not only avoids further habitat loss but actively restores
biodiversity.
What is a Habitat Bank?
A habitat bank is an area of land where new habitats—such
as meadows, woodlands, hedgerows, and ponds—are strategically
created and managed for the long term. These sites generate
measurable biodiversity improvements, which are translated into
Biodiversity Net Gain Units (BNG Units). Developers can purchase
these units to meet their planning obligations.
