BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN

Biodiversity Net Gain in England.

Understand how BNG works, when off-site units are needed, and how habitat banks create legally secured biodiversity units for development.

Ask about BNG land Search the register

BNG SEARCH GUIDE · UPDATED 26 JULY 2026

A practical guide for land, planning and unit decisions.

What Biodiversity Net Gain means

Biodiversity Net Gain is the planning requirement for qualifying development to leave biodiversity in a measurably better state than before development.

The 10% baseline

Most qualifying projects must deliver at least 10% net gain using the statutory biodiversity metric and a credible delivery route.

When off-site BNG matters

If on-site habitat cannot deliver enough gain, developers may need off-site units from legally secured gain sites.

How habitat banks fit

A habitat bank turns suitable land into managed, registered and allocation-ready biodiversity units.

What landowners need to check

Baseline habitats, constraints, strategic significance, hydrology, soils, access, management costs and local demand all affect viability.

Correct terminology

People sometimes mistype Biodiversity Net Gain as “biodiversity neat gain”; the correct term is Biodiversity Net Gain.

COMMON QUESTIONS

FAQs.

What is Biodiversity Net Gain?

It is a planning-linked requirement to deliver a measurable biodiversity improvement, normally at least 10%, compared with the pre-development baseline.

Is BNG the same as carbon?

No. BNG units are habitat and planning units, not carbon credits.

Can BNG be delivered off-site?

Yes, where on-site delivery is insufficient and the off-site gain is legally secured and registered where required.

RELATED BNG GUIDES

What is BNG? BNG for landowners Off-site BNG units BNG units for sale BNG unit prices Natural England register guide BNG units by county