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BNG Units
Buy Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Units
BioMark is a fast-growing habitat bank with specialist land managers who have transformed over 1,100 acres of low-quality land into biodiverse heavens. At BioMark, developers and architects can buy our off-site BNG units to meet their biodiversity net gain unit requirements seamlessly.
Benefits of Buying BNG Units with Habitat Banks like BioMark
Reduce Complexity
Architects and developers who buy biodiversity units from BioMark unlock a streamlined pathway to ecological compliance. They immediately access ready-made biodiversity projects and swiftly achieve biodiversity net gain compliance without the complexities.
Minimise Risk
Our experienced habitat bank land managers handle long-term habitat management, shifting the risk away from the architects and developers. Reduces the burden of ensuring compliance over the 30-year monitoring period.
Predictable Costs
Architects and developers who buy biodiversity units from BioMark know the costs upfront. This contrasts with the potentially variable and escalating costs of creating and managing on-site habitats.
Expedite the Planning Approval Process
By buying off-site biodiversity units, architects and developers produce a straightforward Biodiversity Gain Plan, potentially expediting the approval process of planning permission.
Process of Buying BNG Units
Obtain a BNG Quote
Request a no-obligation quote for off-site BNG units through our online form. We will verify the current availability.
Personalised BNG Solution
Our specialists will assist you in reviewing tailored options and identifying the most cost-effective solution for your BNG requirements.
Secure Your BNG Units
Select your preferred solution and reserve BNG units from our national network of habitat banks. We provide support throughout the planning process.
Finalise BNG Purchase
Upon finalising payment, we will permanently assign the BNG units to your development in line with your Biodiversity Gain Plan.
The Environment Act 2021
What is the Environment Act 2021?
On the 9th of November 2021, the UK Government achieved royal assent for the Environment Act 2021. This legislation places significant environmental obligations on organisations undertaking development projects. From residential developers building new housing estates to commercial developers building retail spaces and industrial units. In essence, developers are legally obligated to restore the biodiversity value of the plot of land with a net gain of 10%.
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity on a plot of land includes the variety of species and habitats present, encompassing everything from plants and animals to insects and microorganisms. It reflects species diversity and accounts for the genetic diversity within those species and the complex interactions that form the ecosystem.
How to Implement a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)?
Developers have three options to implement biodiversity net gain.
On-Site Biodiversity Units
On-site BNG units require developers to restore the land's existing biodiversity plus 10% within the development site's boundaries. This involves habitat creation and enhancement, integrating wildlife-friendly features, and implementing Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). However, it presents a formidable set of challenges to meet their biodiversity net gain obligations. Firstly, the developers we have spoken to are most concerned about space constraints because it reduces the development area. Secondly, the additional costs not endured in the past, such as ecological expertise and surveys, as well as habitat creation, planting, and long-term maintenance. Therefore, developers must meticulously assess the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of on-site BNG units against their development project's specific constraints, potentially favouring off-site BNG units to mitigate these significant risks.
Off-Site Biodiversity Units
Opting for off-site BNG units provides developers with a streamlined and strategically advantageous approach to fulfilling their biodiversity net gain obligations. At Biomark, we own land and are land managers with established habitat banks, enabling developers to purchase biodiversity units, delivering significant ecological benefits beyond the confines of their development site. This approach allows developers to circumvent the spatial constraints and costly complexities associated with on-site habitat creation, freeing up valuable land for development and simplifying project budgets. In addition, our off-site options offer the security of professionally managed, long-term habitat maintenance, mitigating the risks and responsibilities of ongoing ecological management. Therefore, developers can efficiently achieve their biodiversity net gain targets while focusing on their core development objectives.
Statutory Biodiversity Credits
Mandated by the Environment Act 2021, statutory biodiversity credits are a government-provided "last resort" option for developers. Designed as a last resort to prevent project gridlocks, statutory biodiversity credits are available only when on-site and off-site BNG units prove unfeasible. However, statutory biodiversity credits are strictly regulated, requiring developers to explore all avenues thoroughly beforehand. Therefore, if there are insufficient on-site and off-site biodiversity units, developers who purchase the higher-priced government-issued biodiversity credits (compared to the private market) financially contribute to habitat creation projects across the country.
Calculating BNG Requirements
Calculating BNG requirements starts by establishing the pre-development biodiversity value through habitat surveys. Then, forecasting the post-development biodiversity value using the Defra biodiversity metric 4.0 (or a simplified version for small sites). Due to the complexity of the biodiversity metric, input from ecologists and land managers is crucial for accurate calculations and successful biodiversity net gain.
Buying BNG Units
Where there is a difference between the values, it determines a net gain or loss. If there is a biodiversity net loss, you can easily buy units from Biomark to comply with the legislation. However, it is essential to note that you purchase the correct units: Area Units, Hedgerow Units and Watercourse Units. Therefore, ensuring you can break ground on your development without delay.