Land Agent: Understanding Biodiversity Net Gain

In the ever-evolving landscape of rural land management, land agents play a crucial and multifaceted role in the UK. A land agent is a property professional who specialises in the management, sale, and development of rural land and estates. While their roots lie in traditional agriculture and country estates, modern land agents are now beginning to operate across various sectors, including conservation, planning, and commercial land use.

They are also instrumental in helping landowners adapt to new legislation and opportunities, such as Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), that can help them to generate long-term income and provide alternative revenue streams.

Collington Winter Environmental are experts in assisting developers with Biodiversity Net Gain, as well as assisting farmers and general landowners with quantifying the number of units they could put forward towards the scheme for developers to offset their BNG footprint (known as habitat banking).

This represents an excellent opportunity for landowners, particularly farmers (where subsidies are now become more and more scarce), where per hectare up to £170,000 can be earned for 30 years maintenance of any land contributing to habitat banking.

One of the most significant recent developments in land and environmental management is the introduction of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements in planning policy. Under the Environment Act 2021, all major development projects in England must deliver a minimum 10% net gain in biodiversity. This shift marks a significant moment in how land is valued and managed – bringing environmental considerations to the forefront of planning and development decisions.

To comply, developers must carry out detailed habitat assessments and submit a biodiversity net gain plan outlining how the net gain will be achieved and maintained over time. Early engagement with ecological consultants and BNG land agents is strongly recommended to plan and organise these assessments; this is best to avoid delays and ensure the successful integration of BNG into the planning application process.

But in some developments, it is difficult to achieve the 10% net gain required, and this is where habitat banking comes into play.  Developers can offset any loss in habitat by purchasing units from landowners/farmers that are developing and maintaining their own habitat bank.

BNG is a policy approach that ensures development has a measurable, positive impact on biodiversity. It means leaving the natural environment in a better state than it was before development. This is measured using Defra’s Biodiversity Metric, which quantifies habitat value in biodiversity units.

If a developer cannot meet the 10% gain onsite, they must purchase offsite BNG credits – often on farmland, woodland, or marginal land – owned by third parties. This opens up a new and potentially lucrative market for landowners willing to offer their land for habitat creation or enhancement.

Land used for BNG can be registered on the BNG Market Register (hosted by Natural England), and units can be sold to developers unable to meet their obligations. This new market is expected to grow rapidly, especially in areas experiencing significant development pressure.

A habitat bank is an area of unproductive land that is enhanced for biodiversity, and maintained over a set period of time (30 years), the uplift of which is sold to developers to offset biodiversity losses on a development.

Land agents are becoming increasingly involved in the various aspects of BNG, both for landowners and developers. At Collington Winter Environmental, our BNG agents provide specialist advice on all aspects of biodiversity net gain. Our services include:

• Site identification and feasibility: Assessing land for its potential to deliver biodiversity uplift.
• Negotiating BNG agreements: Structuring and negotiating deals between landowners and developers, which may involve long-term habitat management plans or offsetting contracts
• Valuing biodiversity units: Advising clients on the potential financial returns from selling biodiversity units, based on local demand and management obligations
• Planning advice: Ensuring that habitat creation schemes meet Natural England requirements and local planning policies

By using our ecological expertise, our BNG land agents ensure that both landowners and developers can participate confidently and effectively in this emerging market.

At Collington Winter Environmental, our team of BNG land agents work with developers and land owners to provide expert advice and ensure BNG compliance. We assess habitats using the latest DEFRA metrics and assemble detailed biodiversity net gain plans for our clients.

Whether you are a developer seeking BNG guidance or a land owner exploring habitat creation as a new revenue stream, our team of experienced land agents and consultants can support you every step of the way.

To learn more or speak to a member of our team, contact us at info@collingtonwinter.co.uk, fill out the contact form below or call one of the team on 01204 939 608.