Land Agent in Canterbury: Understanding Biodiversity Net Gain

Canterbury combines historic city growth with surrounding farmland, rural estates and land influenced by development pressure across East Kent. With ongoing housing demand, infrastructure projects and evolving planning policy, landowners are increasingly required to balance development opportunities with environmental responsibility. Navigating this landscape can feel complex without the right professional advice. This is where working with an experienced land agent in Canterbury can make a real difference.

A land agent provides professional advice on the management, sale and development of land. While the role once focused primarily on agriculture and estate management, it now also includes planning strategy, environmental schemes and long-term land use planning. For landowners in and around Canterbury, access to clear, locally informed guidance helps ensure decisions are well considered and aligned with future objectives.

At Collington Winter Environmental, we support landowners, developers and investors across Canterbury and the wider Kent area, offering practical advice backed by ecological expertise and a strong understanding of the local land market.

A land agent’s role is centred on helping landowners make informed, confident decisions about how their land is managed, sold or developed.

• Acting in the landowner’s best interests, with advice tailored to the specific characteristics of each site
• Supporting clients through every stage of the process, from early discussions through to delivery
• Advising alongside estate agents where land or property is brought to the open market, particularly for development land, rural plots or land linked to residential schemes
• Coordinating professional input by working with planners, ecologists, surveyors and legal advisers to ensure advice is consistent and joined up
• Providing end-to-end support that reduces uncertainty and keeps decisions clear and well managed

By combining local knowledge with professional coordination, a land agent ensures the process feels structured, transparent and well supported.

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is now a key consideration for landowners and developers across Canterbury. Introduced under the Environment Act 2021, BNG requires most major developments to deliver at least a 10% increase in biodiversity compared to the site’s pre-development condition.

In many developments within Canterbury and its surrounding settlements, achieving this uplift entirely onsite can be challenging. Where this is not possible, developers must secure off-site biodiversity units. This has created new opportunities for landowners across East Kent, particularly where agricultural or lower-grade land can be enhanced for habitat creation.

With the right structure in place, BNG can provide a stable, long-term income stream while delivering genuine environmental benefits. Understanding whether land is suitable, however, requires specialist advice.

A habitat bank is land that is managed specifically to create or enhance biodiversity for a minimum period of 30 years. The biodiversity uplift is measured using DEFRA’s Biodiversity Metric and converted into biodiversity units.

These units can then be sold to developers who need to meet their BNG obligations elsewhere. Habitat banks are increasingly being established around Canterbury, where development demand is strong, and off-site BNG solutions are often required to secure planning permission.

BNG involves long-term land management, ecological assessment and planning policy, making specialist land agent support essential. A land agent in Canterbury helps landowners understand how BNG applies to their land and how it can be delivered in a practical and commercially realistic way.

At Collington Winter Environmental, our land agents work closely with planners and developers to manage the process from start to finish. Our services include:

• Site identification and feasibility – assessing land around Canterbury for its potential to deliver meaningful biodiversity uplift
• BNG agreement negotiation – structuring and negotiating agreements between landowners and developers, including long-term habitat management obligations
• Biodiversity unit valuation – advising on likely returns while considering local demand and ongoing management requirements
• Planning and policy advice – ensuring schemes align with DEFRA’s metrics, Natural England guidance and local planning policy

By combining ecological expertise with land agency experience, we help ensure BNG projects are compliant, well planned and deliver long-term value.

Collington Winter Environmental provides ecology-led land agency services across Canterbury and the wider Kent region. Our experienced team supports landowners and developers from early feasibility through to delivery and long-term land management.

We pride ourselves on clear communication, practical advice and a detailed understanding of environmental regulation alongside the local land market. Whether you are exploring Biodiversity Net Gain for the first time, reviewing development potential or planning long-term land use change, we are here to guide you through each stage with confidence.

To speak to a land agent in Canterbury, contact us at info@collingtonwinter.co.uk, complete the contact form below or call 01204 939 608.