Need a BNG Assessment for Planning?

You’re in the right place.

For most developments in England, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requires the development to deliver at least a 10% increase in biodiversity value.

But achieving 10% isn’t simply about completing a calculation.

The design of your development, the habitats already present, what can realistically be created on-site and whether off-site biodiversity units are required can all have a significant impact on your project.

That’s where we come in.

Crossman Ecology can manage the ecological side of BNG for you, giving you clear advice on what is required and helping you find a practical route forward.

Our Approach: Find the Simplest Route to 10%

BNG doesn’t need to hold up your development.

The earlier we understand the biodiversity value of your site, the more opportunity there is to design a practical solution.

We’ll assess what you’ve got, understand what you’re proposing and help determine the most appropriate way to achieve the required gain.

Where possible, we’ll look for opportunities to retain habitats and achieve BNG within the development itself.

Where that isn’t practical, we’ll explain the alternatives clearly, including the potential use of off-site biodiversity units.

And if your plans need adjusting, we’ll work with your project team to help find a solution.

Our job isn’t to make BNG more complicated. It’s to help you solve it.

How Our BNG Service Works

1. We Survey Your Site

An ecologist visits your site to identify, map and assess the condition of the existing habitats.

This establishes the site’s biodiversity baseline — essentially, the biodiversity value you are starting with.

2. We Calculate the Biodiversity Units

We use the appropriate statutory biodiversity metric to calculate the site’s existing biodiversity value.

We then assess the proposed development to determine the likely habitat losses, gains and the overall Biodiversity Net Gain.

3. We Help You Reach 10%

If the initial design doesn’t achieve the required gain, we’ll look at practical ways of improving it.

That could include retaining existing habitat, changing proposed landscaping, creating new habitats or altering how parts of the site are managed.

If 10% cannot realistically be achieved on-site, we’ll advise you on the requirement for off-site biodiversity units.

4. We Help Get It Through Planning

BNG doesn’t end with the metric.

Depending on your project, you may also require documents such as a Biodiversity Gain Plan or Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan.

We can prepare the necessary ecological information and work with your wider project team and Local Planning Authority to help move the project forward.

5. We Can Stay With You After Approval

Some BNG habitats need to be managed and monitored over the long term.

Crossman Ecology can provide ongoing ecological monitoring, reporting and advice to help ensure your project continues to meet its BNG commitments.

What Is Biodiversity Net Gain?

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a planning requirement designed to leave biodiversity in a measurably better state after development than it was beforehand.

For developments in England that are subject to mandatory BNG, the statutory biodiversity gain objective is generally at least 10%.

Biodiversity value is measured in biodiversity units using the government’s statutory biodiversity metric.

The calculation considers factors including:

• Habitat type
• Habitat area or length
• Habitat condition
• Strategic significance
• Habitat creation and enhancement
• The time required for new habitats to establish
• The difficulty and risk involved in creating them

This means two sites of the same size can have very different BNG requirements.

That’s why understanding your site’s biodiversity baseline early can be important.

Can I Achieve My BNG On-Site?

Often, yes.

The best solution will depend on the habitats already present and the design of the proposed development.

Potential measures can include:

• Species-rich grassland
• Native hedgerows
• Tree and scrub planting
• Ponds and wetland habitats
• Habitat enhancement
• Sustainable landscaping designed for biodiversity

Where sufficient Biodiversity Net Gain cannot be achieved within the development site, off-site biodiversity units may be required.

We’ll calculate the shortfall and explain your options.

What Happens if My Site Doesn’t Achieve 10% BNG?

Don’t panic.

An initial calculation showing less than 10% doesn’t necessarily mean there is a fundamental problem with your development.

It means we need to find the most appropriate way of closing the gap.

That might involve:

Changing the design
Small changes to landscaping or habitat retention can sometimes have a significant effect on the calculation.

Creating or enhancing more habitat on-site
We can identify realistic opportunities within the development.

Using off-site biodiversity units
Where the required gain cannot reasonably be achieved on-site, off-site units may provide the solution.

We’ll explain the options and help you understand the implications before you decide how to proceed.

When Should I Get a BNG Assessment?

Ideally, before your development design is fixed.

Getting ecology involved early gives your architect and planning team more opportunity to retain valuable habitats and incorporate biodiversity into the design.

It can also reduce the risk of discovering late in the planning process that substantial changes or off-site biodiversity units are required.

Already have your plans?

That’s fine too. Send them to us and we’ll advise on the next step.

Do I Need Biodiversity Net Gain?

Many developments requiring planning permission in England are subject to mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain, although exemptions do apply.

If you’re unsure whether BNG applies to your development, you don’t need to work it out yourself.

Send us your site details and proposed plans and we’ll advise you on the ecological work you’re likely to need.

[Ask Us About Your Site]

Why Crossman Ecology?

We Make Ecology Straightforward

You don’t need to become a BNG expert.

That’s our job.

We’ll explain what matters, tell you what needs doing and give you practical advice on the next step.

Pragmatic Advice

Our aim is to find an ecological solution that works for both biodiversity and your development.

One Team From Survey to Solution

We can support your project from the initial habitat survey and biodiversity calculation through planning, habitat management and long-term monitoring.

Experienced Ecologists

We’ve worked on hundreds of BNG projects, from small residential developments to larger and more complex sites.

Our Three-Part Client Guarantee

We want working with an ecologist to be one of the straightforward parts of your project.

[Find Out About Our Three-Part Client Guarantee]

We can help with:

Long-term BNG monitoring and compliance

Habitat surveys and condition assessments

UKHab surveys

Statutory Biodiversity Metric calculations

Small Sites Metric assessments where appropriate

Pre-development and post-development calculations

BNG feasibility and design advice

Biodiversity Gain Plans

Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans (HMMPs)

On-site habitat creation and enhancement advice

Off-site biodiversity unit requirements

Liaison with your architect, landscape designer and planning team