If you’re a landowner thinking about selling or developing your property, new environmental legislation has changed how planning applications work. It’s called Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), and while it may sound like a hurdle, it isn’t always bad news. In fact, for some landowners, low biodiversity could actually make development easier and more profitable.
This article explains what BNG is, why it matters, and how it could affect the value and development potential of your land.
What is Biodiversity Net Gain?
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a new legal requirement that means all new developments must leave the natural environment in a better condition than before. In simple terms: if you develop land, you need to increase biodiversity by at least 10% compared to the site’s existing condition.
BNG became law under the Environment Act 2021 and will apply to all new planning applications from 2024 onwards. That means whether you’re selling a site to a developer or putting forward a planning application yourself, biodiversity is now a key factor in the process.
For many landowners, this is unfamiliar territory. Until now, planning decisions were more focused on access, design, and infrastructure. With BNG, the ecology of your site suddenly matters.
Are you a landowner seeking to maximise the value of your property? If you own land or property and want to sell some or all of it, we help maximise the value for you. We always want to find mutually beneficial arrangements and are very flexible about how we work with you. Book in your FREE, no-obligation appraisal of your land or property.
Why Low Biodiversity Can Be a Positive for Development
At first glance, you might assume that more nature on your land equals more value. After all, mature trees, meadows, and wetlands can be beautiful features. But when it comes to BNG, those features can increase costs and risks.
Here’s why:
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Existing habitats must be protected or compensated for.
If your land has valuable habitats (woodlands, hedgerows, grasslands), a developer will need to redesign plans around them, or pay to create equivalent habitats elsewhere.
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Protected species bring extra hurdles.
The presence of bats, great crested newts, or rare birds can delay or even block development.
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Higher biodiversity means higher mitigation costs.
The more nature there is on your site, the more difficult or expensive it is to deliver the required 10% uplift.
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Market Conditions
The strength of the local property market and developer demand can influence timing and offer prices. We help you assess when the time is right.
By contrast, low biodiversity sites are often much easier to develop. Examples include:
- Hardstanding areas (old car parks, yards, or forecourts).
- Brownfield land.
- Abandoned industrial plots.
- Derelict barns and buildings.
These sites typically have little ecological value. That means:
- Fewer design restrictions.
- Lower costs for biodiversity offsets.
- Faster and smoother planning approval.
For landowners, this can be a hidden advantage. A neglected or “unattractive” site could, under the new rules, actually be more valuable for development than a green, wildlife-rich field.
How to Tell if BNG Applies to Your Land
BNG will apply to the vast majority of development sites. There are a few exemptions (such as small householder applications), but for most landowners considering a sale or strategic development, it will be relevant. The key factor is your site’s baseline ecology. This is a measure of the habitats and species currently on your land. The lower the baseline, the easier it is to achieve a 10% gain.
Signs your site may be low biodiversity:
- Mostly hard surfaces (tarmac, concrete, gravel).
- Previously developed or disturbed land.
- Minimal vegetation or wildlife.
- Derelict structures or buildings.
Signs your site may be high biodiversity:
- Grassland, woodland, hedgerows, or ponds.
- Mature trees or wetlands.
- Evidence of protected species (bats, badgers, nesting birds, reptiles).
When to Get an Ecology Survey
If you’re unsure about your site’s biodiversity, the simplest step is to commission an ecology survey. This is often required as part of a planning application and will establish your land’s baseline score. The timing of a survey is critical:
- Too early, and seasonal factors may mean species are missed.
- Too late, and you could face delays in the planning process. Most Local Authorities expect an ecology survey to be conducted in the non-dormant season – i.e. during May to September. A professional developer (like Landhaven) can advise on the right time and scope for a survey, and often arrange it on your behalf.
What Developers Will Do About BNG
BNG may sound like another layer of red tape, but for experienced developers, it’s simply part of the planning process. A developer like Landhaven will:
- Assess the baseline ecology of your site – working out whether biodiversity is high, medium, or low.
- Prepare a strategy – showing how the 10% gain can be achieved (either on-site or off-site).
- Handle the costs and logistics – arranging surveys, habitat creation, or biodiversity credits as part of the overall development plan.
In practice, this means you don’t need to worry about the details. What matters to you as a landowner is how BNG affects the attractiveness and value of your site.
Why Understanding BNG Matters for Landowners
BNG changes the equation for land value in subtle ways.
For example:
- A “scrappy” brownfield site may be more appealing to developers than a meadow.
- A plot with high biodiversity may still be viable, but only if the costs of habitat mitigation are factored in.
- Early awareness of your site’s biodiversity baseline can help you position your land correctly when negotiating with developers.
Put simply: knowing where your land sits on the biodiversity scale helps you make smarter decisions.
Landhaven’s Approach At Landhaven, we work with landowners to unlock the development potential of their property, while ensuring new projects meet sustainability requirements like BNG. Our approach is designed to make the process simple for you:
- Free initial assessment of how BNG applies to your land. • Full ecology surveys and reports arranged on your behalf.
- Complete strategy and cost management – ensuring biodiversity rules are met without reducing land value.
By handling the complexity, we give you clarity and confidence.
Key Takeaways
- BNG is now law: all new developments must deliver a 10% biodiversity uplift. • Low biodiversity can be an advantage: hardstanding, brownfield, or derelict sites are often easier and cheaper to develop.
- High biodiversity means higher costs: more habitats = more mitigation.
- Surveys are essential: understanding your site’s baseline ecology is the first step.
- Developers manage the details: a partner like Landhaven takes care of surveys, strategies, and costs.
Ready to Find Out How BNG Affects Your Land?
If you’re considering selling or developing land, now is the time to understand how Biodiversity Net Gain will shape your options.
At Landhaven, we offer a free, no-obligation assessment of your site’s BNG implications, helping you see whether your land is high or low biodiversity, and what that means for development potential.
👉 Get in touch today to book your free assessment and discover the true potential of your land.
