Meet biodiversity net gain requirements: steps for developers
What you need to do as a developer to meet biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements.
Applies to England
Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is mandatory from 12 February 2024.
1. Find out about BNG
Check if your development is exempt from BNG
2. Decide how you’ll achieve BNG
Find out how you can achieve BNG
What you can count towards a development’s BNG
3. Measure a habitat or development’s impact on biodiversity
Calculate the biodiversity value of your site before development
Calculate how many units your development needs
4. Follow the steps for the BNG option you choose
There are different steps for each option in the biodiversity gain hierarchy. You can combine all 3 options.
Make on-site gains
Enter a legal agreement for your significant on-site gains
Submit your habitat management and monitoring plan for significant on-site gains
Submit a biodiversity gain plan
Find out more about how to make on-site gains
Make off-site gains
Enter a legal agreement for biodiversity net gain
Record the allocation of off-site gains to your development
Submit your habitat management and monitoring plan
Submit a biodiversity gain plan
Find out more about how to make off-site biodiversity gains
Buy statutory biodiversity credits
This option is a last resort if you cannot achieve on-site or off-site BNG.
Discuss statutory credits with your local planning authority
Estimate how much statutory credits will cost
Check the price of statutory biodiversity credits
Buy statutory biodiversity credits
Submit a biodiversity gain plan
Give feedback
Give feedback on this guidance by completing a short survey.
Updates to this page
Last updated 12 February 2024 + show all updates
-
Updated box at top of page to state that biodiversity net gain (BNG) is mandatory from 12 February 2024 and removed the 'draft guidance' label. Removed information about delivering 10% BNG for at least 30 years as this is not usually a step for developers.
-
Added information about delivering 10% BNG for 30 years.
-
First published.