Rural land provides a unique opportunity to deliver off-site BNG units at a scale that delivers for nature. This quantifiable uplift can be brokered for a financial return or inset to meet planning obligations.
The biodiversity performance of land is calculated by the DEFRA 4.0* Metric which assesses four key site components, distinctiveness, condition, strategic significance and habitat connectivity to ascertain a baseline habitat score, which is incorporated into a site habitat management plan (HMP). By adopting low intensity agricultural activity and long term consistent land management techniques sites can increase their biodiversity performance. The uplift in performance is calculated in units, these units can subsequently be sold to third parties to discharge planning/development obligations or to assist in reducing a CO2e position.
Each HMP is unique and for a period of not less than 30 years. In order to help document these unique requirements, the Environment Act has introduced Conservation Covenants to help record and enforce long term environmental commitments. The covenant binds the initial landowner and subsequent landowners to ensure long-term conservation and environmental benefits on net gain sites. Furthermore, all off-site BNG will be recorded on a publicly accessible register to assist in ensuring transparency and trust in the process to achieving the recovery of England's nature.
The BNG marketplace is an example of private finance entering the land management space. BNG units can be brokered via Savills Environment Exchange.
*Metric version may have been superseded
How can Savills help
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Feasibility studies including cost benefit analysis
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Project management and consultancy
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Biodiversity unit brokerage
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Ongoing site management