Biodiversity Net Gain
Biodiversity Net Gain is an approach to development that leaves biodiversity in a better state after the development is completed than before. Where a development has a negative impact on biodiversity it is required through The Environment Act to provide an increase in appropriate natural habitat and ecological features over and above that has been lost.
Biodiversity Net Gain can often be delivered within a development site, but where this isn't possible, an offset or compensation charge may be applied per 'biodiversity unit' that is lost, which is then used to create the 'net gain' elsewhere through the creation and enhancement of habitats, for example, new woodland, wildflower meadows or restored flood meadows. These habitats must be managed for at least 30 years.
Demand for off-set sites is increasing and a market developing. Putting some of your land into a nature recovery project, such as a Habitat Bank, has many benefits including:
Contributing to nature recovery across Oxfordshire
Improving the natural resilience of your land
Diversifying income and spreading risk
Expressions of Interest are invited from people and organisations that want to deliver biodiversity projects involving the creation, restoration or enhancement of wildlife habitats (please note that projects which only aim to protect or maintain habitats are not eligible).
We also invite landowners to contact us if they own sites that could be used for habitat projects, but who may not be able to develop a suitable project independently.
How can TOE help me?
TOE has helped facilitate off-site BNG since 2018, including the very first off-set project in the country.
TOE can assist you through the steps needed to establish a Habitat Bank or bespoke site, from initial idea to entering the site on the National Register, using the knowledge and expertise TOE have built up. As a charitable organisation there are no charges to work with TOE. TOE can also manage the sales and reporting aspects of running a Habitat Bank, leaving you to manage the land.
TOE already have well established links with developers, having been the primary off-set facilitator in Oxfordshire for the last 5 years. By acting as a broker between you and the developer, TOE can facilitate sales and manage all reporting responsibilities.
Farmers, land managers, landowners, charities, parish councils and non-profits are all welcome to apply. You must have management control of the land for over 30 years.
We use a three-stage process to identify and develop the best opportunities:
Expression of Interest (EOI)
Site assessment and project development- TOE can assit with costs and advice
Preperation of a Habitat Managment and Monitoring Plan.
Please get in touch to discuss your lands potential.
Further information is provided below and detailed guidance is available upon request.
Register a site
Are you a landowner that would like to make more space for nature and ensure it is managed for wildlife in perpetuity?
If you register your site with TOE, we can assist with the rest. Biodivseristy Net Gain unit sales pay for a habitat enhancement project and 30 years of aftercare on your site.
The most attractive sites will present opportunities to improve the condition of habitats in areas of strategic importance, such as in the draft Nature Recovery Network and Conservation Target Areas. If a site is selected to progress a project idea, an independent TOE Assessor will support the landowner in the development of a suitable project and management plan.
Simply contact us to register a site. This does not represent any form of commitment and you can request to have the site removed from TOE’s register at any time. We only need some outline details about a site’s location, size, current land use and habitats present. We treat any information provided as sensitive, in line with our Privacy Policy.
Creating a Habitat Bank
Below is a flowchart produced by DEFRA outlining the steps land managers need to take to sell to this new ecosystem service market by creating Habitat Banks, and how TOE can help in the process.
