Land Agent in Clitheroe: Understanding Biodiversity Net Gain

Rural land management in Clitheroe and the surrounding Ribble Valley countryside is evolving at pace. New environmental legislation, ongoing development pressure, and evolving land use options mean landowners and farmers are facing more decisions than ever before. Making the right choices now is key to protecting your land and securing its long-term value in a changing property market.

A rural land agent plays an important role in helping landowners plan for the future. While land agents have traditionally focused on farming and estate management, their role has grown significantly. Today, landowners need a wider professional service that combines land management, planning advice, and environmental expertise.

At Collington Winter, we support landowners across Clitheroe, helping them adapt to change and make the most of new opportunities.

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

Land valuation and sales – Valuing farms, estates, and rural property, handling sales and purchases, and negotiating on your behalf.

Planning advice – Supporting planning applications, advising on land use, and identifying development potential where appropriate.

Environmental advice – Helping landowners access environmental schemes, grants, subsidies, and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).

Compliance support – Ensuring land meets legal, planning, and environmental requirements.

Estate management – Providing long-term advice to protect and enhance the value of rural estates.

As chartered surveyors, land agents offer regulated and trusted advice. This gives landowners confidence when making important decisions about their land and property.

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

If a developer cannot achieve this improvement on their own site, they must secure biodiversity units elsewhere. This has created a valuable new income opportunity for landowners in around Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley.

Landowners can improve biodiversity by creating new habitats, planting native species, restoring grassland, or managing woodland more effectively. These improvements are measured using DEFRA’s biodiversity metrics and recorded on the national BNG Market Register. This ensures schemes are properly regulated and transparent.

A habitat bank is an area of land – often lower-grade or less productive farmland – that is managed to improve biodiversity for at least 30 years. The environmental improvements are measured in biodiversity units. These units can then be sold to developers who need them to meet their BNG obligations.

Importantly, landowners keep ownership of their land. A habitat bank provides a reliable, long-term income stream while allowing land to be managed responsibly and sustainably alongside other estate activities.

BNG can feel complex, especially for landowners new to environmental schemes. Professional advice helps ensure schemes are practical, compliant, and financially viable.

At Collington Winter, we support landowners by:

• Assessing whether land is suitable for BNG
• Explaining how many biodiversity units could be generated
• Estimating potential long-term income
• Setting up and negotiating agreements with developers
• Ensuring schemes meet DEFRA standards and planning requirements

With the right support, landowners can be confident their land delivers both environmental benefits and financial returns.

Our experienced rural land agents and ecologists work closely with landowners and developers across Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley. We provide clear, practical advice based on strong local understanding and detailed knowledge of BNG and environmental schemes.

To speak with a land agent in Clitheroe, contact Collington Winter Environmental at info@collingtonwinter.co.uk or call 01204 939 608.