Biodiversity net gain (BNG) in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and the surrounding area

Biodiversity net gain is a new approach to development that leaves biodiversity in a better state after a development is completed than before. Where developers are not able to enhance and restore biodiversity on-site, they are required to buy off-site biodiversity units. Demand for off-set sites is increasing.

For farmers and landowners, putting some 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.

A landowner’s perspective on BNG

Julian Gold, of the Hendred Estate on the Ridgeway, explains why he worked with Trust for Oxfordshire's Environment to establish a Habitat Bank.

How we help farmers and landowners

The Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment navigates the complexities of BNG on behalf of landowners and farmers, across the whole lifetime of the project, to achieve the best possible outcomes for them and for nature.

We have been working on BNG in Oxfordshire and the surrounding area since 2018. We were one of the first in the country to deliver BNG units, and we have already delivered units on over 100 hectares of Oxfordshire countryside.

With our long-standing relationships with local planning authorities, and our track record of delivery, we are ideally placed to help farmers and landowners interested in setting up habitat banks in Oxfordshire.

We have well-established links with developers, having been the primary off-set facilitator in Oxfordshire for the last five years. By acting as a broker between you and the developer, TOE can facilitate sales and manage all reporting responsibilities of running a Habitat Bank, leaving you to manage the land.

We understand that priorities and needs of individual farmers and landowners are different. That is why we offer expert support, tailored to your precise needs, while you remain in control.

As a charitable organisation, there are no charges to work with TOE.

Read our case studies to find out how we have helped other farmers and landowners successfully bring sites to the BNG register.

Creating a Habitat Bank

We can help 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 we have built up.

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:

  1. Expression of Interest (EOI)

  2. Site assessment and project feasibility

  3. Project development- TOE can assist with costs and advice