HabitatBank.org
Restored English estate landscape suitable for Biodiversity Net Gain habitat banking

BNG UNITS

Understand off-site Biodiversity Net Gain units.

BNG units turn measured habitat uplift into a planning-linked asset. Their value depends on habitat type, condition, location, risk and legal certainty.

Find unit route See register
England BNG marketLandowner-led structureLegal and ecological routeBuyer-ready units

UNIT VALUE

Units are created by ecological uplift, then shaped by risk and demand.

01

Baseline habitat

The starting habitat type, extent and condition set the baseline.

02

Target habitat

The target habitat must be credible, deliverable and maintained long term.

03

Statutory metric

England’s biodiversity metric turns habitat change into standardised units.

04

Risk factors

Difficulty, time to target, spatial relevance and legal security affect the score.

05

Market scarcity

Buyer demand varies by geography, habitat type and planning pressure.

06

Allocation evidence

Units only serve developments when allocation and register evidence are clear.

SALEABLE UNITS

A buyer-ready unit is more than a number.

  1. 01Ecology

    Baseline and target habitats are assessed and evidenced.

  2. 02Management

    The HMMP sets creation, enhancement, maintenance and monitoring obligations.

  3. 03Legal

    The land is secured through section 106 or conservation covenant.

  4. 04Registration

    The gain site is recorded on the public register.

  5. 05Commercial

    Pricing and release strategy reflect demand, cost and delivery risk.

  6. 06Allocation

    Units are allocated to developments with a compliance need.