Land Agent in Durham: Understanding Biodiversity Net Gain

Rural land management in Durham is changing fast. New environmental rules, increased development, and different ways of using land mean farmers and landowners now face more decisions than ever. Getting the right advice is essential to protect your land, stay compliant, and make the most of new opportunities.

A land agent helps landowners manage their land now and plan for the future. While land agents have traditionally focused on farming and estates, their role has grown. Today, they also advise on planning, environmental schemes, and ways to diversify land use.

At Collington Winter, we work with landowners across Durham and the North of England, helping them adapt to change and achieve long-term value from their land.

A land agent’s role depends on your goals, but usually includes:

• Land valuations and sales – Valuing land, managing sales and purchases, and negotiating on your behalf
• Planning advice – Support with planning applications, land use decisions, and development opportunities
• Environmental advice – Help with grants, subsidies, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), and sustainable land management
• Compliance support – Making sure your land meets legal, planning, and environmental requirements

Land agents act as trusted advisers and chartered surveyors, helping you make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

Biodiversity net gain is now a legal requirement under the Environment Act 2021. Most major developments must deliver at least a 10% increase in biodiversity.

If developers cannot achieve this on their own site, they must secure biodiversity elsewhere. This creates a new income opportunity for Durham landowners. By improving land for wildlife and managing it well, landowners can earn long-term income while supporting the environment.

All BNG sites are recorded on the national BNG Market Register, which helps keep the system clear and well regulated.

A habitat bank is an area of land – often lower-quality or less productive farmland – managed to improve wildlife habitats for at least 30 years.

These habitat improvements are measured in biodiversity units. The units can then be sold to developers who need them to meet their BNG requirements. Landowners keep ownership of their land while creating a reliable income stream.

BNG can be complicated, but the right advice makes it much simpler. At Collington Winter, we support landowners at every stage.

We can help by:

• Checking whether your land is suitable for BNG
• Explaining how many biodiversity units your land could produce
• Estimating the income BNG could generate
• Setting up and negotiating long-term BNG agreements
• Making sure schemes meet DEFRA standards and local planning rules

With professional support, you can be confident your land delivers both financial and environmental benefits.

At Collington Winter, our experienced rural land agents work with landowners and developers across Durham. We provide clear, practical advice and use the latest DEFRA biodiversity metrics to assess land accurately.

To speak to a land agent in Durham, contact us today at info@collingtonwinter.co.uk, fill out the contact form below or call one of the team on 01204 939 608.