Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)

What is Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)?

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an approach to development. It makes sure that habitats for wildlife are left in a measurably better state than they were before the development.

In England, Biodiversity Net Gain is mandatory under Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as inserted by Schedule 14 of the Environment Act 2021) as from the spring of 2024. Developers must deliver a BNG of 10% as measured by the statutory biodiversity metric. This means a development will result in more or better-quality natural habitat than there was before development.

Biodiversity Net Gain plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability and functioning of ecosystems, supporting various ecological processes such as nutrient cycling, soil formation, and water purification. It also provides numerous tangible benefits to humans, including food, medicine, raw materials, recreation, cultural and aesthetic values, and resilience to natural disasters.

However, biodiversity is currently facing unprecedented threats due to human activities such as habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, overexploitation of natural resources, and the introduction of invasive species. Protecting and conserving biodiversity is essential for ensuring the sustainability of ecosystems, maintaining ecosystem services, and securing the well-being of present and future generations

Examples of helping to stem the loss of habitat:

  • Flowers, wildlife meadow, creating habitat;
  • Lowland meadows;
  • Species-rich native hedgerows and trees;
  • Watercourses, wetlands;
  • Rural trees/mixed scrub/natural grasslands/ woodlands.

How Can We Help You With BNG?

Here at Conservation Contractors, we can work alongside developers and agencies to establish schemes to achieve Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in Wiltshire and South & West England, by providing the habitats and work involved with planting and its subsequent maintenance. All habitats which have been subject to BNG must be secured and managed for a minimum of 30-years.

  • We can deliver your landscape solutions with an excellent ‘can do’ and common sense approach, gained from more than 30 years in the business of arboriculture and land management – from scrub clearance and weed control, to erecting fences, to watercourse repairs;
  • We can help developers meet their BNG requirements by creating the right habitats;
  • We can work with Ecologists and Landscape Consultants to implement the schemes drawn up to meet their BNG requirements, both delivering initially as well as going forward, managing, for example, planting/ wetlands/ hedgerows/ trees/ habitat /rewilding/regeneration.
  • We are able to undertake bat inspections at height with a range of cherry pickers/MEWPs.

NB: We have used some of the information for this page set out in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ excellent website on the subject: www.gov.uk/government/collections/biodiversity-net-gain. This website will be able to answer any detailed questions you may have.

Removal of Asian Hornets nest

Asian Hornets And Invasive Species

Conservation Contractors Ltd were awarded a position on the DEFRA contract to control the Asian Hornets and other invasive species across England and Wales, given our ability to react quickly and having a large fleet of access equipment available a short notice.

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) In Action

If you would like a non-nonsense quotation for any of our services, please get in touch.

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