Land Agents in Bath: Understanding Biodiversity Net Gain

Bath sits at the heart of a productive and varied rural landscape, surrounded by farmland, private estates, and land with long-term development potential. As planning policy and environmental requirements continue to evolve, landowners in and around Bath are facing new decisions about how their land is managed and used. In this changing environment, land agents play an important role in helping landowners navigate opportunities with clarity and confidence.

Traditionally, land agents focused on agricultural holding and estate management. Today, their role has broadened to include planning advice, environmental schemes and sustainable land use. Land agents often work alongside estate agents, planners and legal advisers to ensure landowners receive well-rounded, practical advice that reflects both market conditions and environmental responsibilities.

At Collington Winter Environmental, we work with landowners and developers across the Bath area, supporting informed decisions and helping clients explore opportunities that balance commercial value with environmental benefit.

The role of land agents in Bath varies depending on the land and the landowner’s objective, but the core focus remains the same: helping landowners make informed decisions about their land.

Land agents advise on valuation, land sales and acquisitions, and longer-term land strategy. They also provide guidance on planning considerations, land use changes and environmental requirements regarding Bath property management. Increasingly, this includes supporting landowners as they explore ecological opportunities such as Biodiversity Net Gain.

By coordinating advice from planners, ecologists and local knowledge, land agents help simplify complex processes and reduce risk.

Biodiversity Net Gain is one of the most significant changes affecting land use in recent years. Introduced under the Environment Act 2021, the policy requires most major developments to deliver at least 10% increase in biodiversity compared with the site’s condition before development.

When this cannot be achieved within the development site, developers must secure off-site biodiversity units. This has created a growing opportunity for landowners around Bath who can enhance or restore land for wildlife.

Land suitable for BNG may include lower-grass farmland, grassland or areas capable of habitat creation. With the right management, these sites can deliver long-term environmental benefits alongside a reliable income stream.

A habitat bank is land that is managed to create or enhance biodiversity. The biodiversity uplift is measured using DEFRA’s Biodiversity Metric and expressed as biodiversity units.

These units can then be sold to developers who need to offset environmental impacts elsewhere. For many landowners, habitat banking offers a stable, long-term approach to land management while contributing to nature recovery.

Land agents play a central role in helping landowners and developers engage with BNG. At Collington Witner Environmental, our team supports clients by assessing land suitability, coordinating ecological surveys and advising on biodiversity unit potential.

We also assist with negotiations and ensure BNG plans align with DEFRA metrics, Natural England guidance and local planning policy. By managing the process as a whole, we help BNG projects progress smoothly and with confidence.

Collington Winter Environmental supports landowners and developers across Bath with ecology-led land agency services. We provide clear, practical advice on Biodiversity Net Gain and on long-term land-use opportunities.

Whether you are exploring habitat creation for the first time or seeking specialist BNG support, our team can guide you through every stage of the process.

To speak with a land agent in Bath, contact info@collingtonwintet.co.uk or call 01204939608.