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Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is part of the government’s 25-year Environment Plan. It requires land developers to deliver a measurable (10%), positive impact on biodiversity when land is being developed. This environmental gain can be offset on other land, so could provide an income opportunity for farmers long term agreements which form part of developers’ planning consents.

We explain in further detail what BNG entails as new information emerges and weigh up the opportunities and the issues for farmers.

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Latest BNG news

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BNG

Biodiversity net gain becomes a requirement on developers

Improving biodiversity by at least 10% becomes a legal obligation on developers of housing, commercial and industrial sites from this week. Planning applications submitted in England from 12 February must…

BNG

Biodiversity units market may be a volatile one

The supply of and demand for units to meet biodiversity net gain (BNG) obligations is likely to be erratic, driven both by the seasonality of ecological survey constraints and the…

BNG

First tender set to test market for biodiversity units

A tender for 74 lots of biodiversity units closes tomorrow (2 February) in the first sale of its kind. These are on land stretching from Northumberland to Cornwall and include…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

Legal framework set out for biodiversity net gain

The legislative framework for biodiversity net gain (BNG) is finally being introduced in six statutory instruments that will become law when BNG goes live in January 2024. This includes outlining…

 
 
 

Practical advice

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BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Landowner questions on BNG issues

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Mark Russell, a partner with Carter Jonas, addresses some important questions on biodiversity…

ARABLE

How 'mega-cluster' project benefits farming and nature

A project linking farmers and private investors across a 12,500ha area of Sussex is aiming to support nature recovery and food production on a landscape scale.  The Weald to Waves…

BUSINESS

Biodiversity net gain – legal issues for farmers

Biodiversity net gain (BNG) sites are already in demand. Here, Julie Robinson, agriculture partner at Roythornes Solicitors, talks to Farmers Weekly about the legal considerations. See also: Defra BNG credit…

BUSINESS

Biodiversity net gain: What farmers should consider

A planning requirement for most housing, commercial and industrial developments in England to result in a 10% biodiversity uplift offers rural landowners an opportunity to generate a diversified income stream…

Insights

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BNG

Conservation grazing grows as alternative land uses develop

Biodiversity net gain (BNG) became mandatory in the planning system in England from February 2024, allowing landowners to earn an income from selling biodiversity units to developers. This is just…

BNG

BNG: Latest updates as small developments brought into regime

Small developments were brought into the biodiversity net gain (BNG) regime this week, two months after the legal obligation to enhance biodiversity by at least 10% was imposed on almost…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

Legislation brings BNG regime a step closer

The legislative framework for biodiversity net gain (BNG) is finally being introduced, in six statutory instruments which will become law when BNG goes live in January 2024. This includes outlining…

BUSINESS

Biodiversity net gain: Pros and cons of different options

The requirement for developers to deliver a minimum 10% biodiversity uplift associated with their sites takes effect from January next year. This is known as biodiversity net gain (BNG) and…