Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment

At Wildfox, we provide fast and accurate Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Assessments to help developers, planners, and landowners meet the legal requirements for biodiversity enhancement under the Environment Act 2021. We deliver comprehensive BNG reports within just 3 days, ensuring your project stays on track with planning approvals.

This premium service is intended for time-critical projects where the deadline is looming.

What is a BNG Assessment?

A Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Assessment calculates the biodiversity value of a site before and after development, using the latest BNG metric. The goal is to demonstrate a measurable improvement in biodiversity, ensuring a minimum 10% net gain in habitat value post-development.

When Do You Need a BNG Assessment?

You will need a BNG Assessment if:

• Your project requires planning permission under BNG legislation (mandatory from 2024).

• The local planning authority requests a BNG calculation and habitat enhancement strategy.

• You need to determine whether your site can achieve BNG on-site or requires off-site compensation.

• Your development impacts habitats, trees, hedgerows, or watercourses.

What’s Included in Our BNG Assessment Service?

Our comprehensive BNG Assessment includes:

1. Baseline Habitat Survey

• Identification and mapping of existing habitats using the UK Habitat Classification system.

• Calculation of pre-development biodiversity units using the latest BNG metric.

2. Post-Development BNG Calculation

• Assessment of habitat retention, enhancement, and creation within the proposed development.

• Calculation of post-development biodiversity units to determine if a 10% net gain is achieved.

• Identification of any BNG shortfalls and recommendations for on-site or off-site compensation.

3. Mitigation and Enhancement Recommendations

• Bespoke habitat creation and management strategies to maximise on-site BNG.

• Tree, hedgerow, and grassland enhancement recommendations.

• Biodiversity offsetting options if on-site net gain cannot be achieved.

4. Compliance and Reporting

• Full BNG Assessment report suitable for submission to local planning authorities.

• Clear action plans to meet BNG requirements efficiently.

• Guidance on next steps, including the need for LEMPs, HMMPs, or RCAs, where applicable.

Does your site have a water course within 10 meters of the boundary? You might need a River Condition Assessment.