Even after a year, navigating the new regulations around Biodiversity Net Gain can be complex, but because we’ve been delivering BNG in Oxfordshire since 2018 - before it became a mandatory requirement - we’re better placed than most to help.
One issue we often see developers grappling with is interpreting the BNG Mitigation Hierarchy and Spatial Multiplier. These are frameworks, set out by the Government, to ensure that development projects lead to positive environmental outcomes. But did you know that they also can help save you money?
What impact does the BNG Mitigation Hierarchy have on costs?
The Mitigation Hierarchy puts forward different ways that developers can meet their BNG responsibilities, in order of declining preferability. It prioritises avoiding or minimising existing habitat loss by designing projects with biodiversity in mind, followed by restoring unavoidable biodiversity loss on site, and, where this is not possible, off-site restoration. Purchasing statutory biodiversity credits is available as a last resort. Unsurprisingly, the costs are likely to rise the lower down the hierarchy you go, to incentivise protecting existing biodiversity.
Using the Spatial Risk Multiplier strategically to reduce costs
But while protecting or enhancing biodiversity on-site is recognised as the best option, in some cases it is simply not possible. Therefore, many developers find themselves needing to identify a suitable off-site habitat bank. Here, the Spatial Risk Multiplier is another important metric to consider. This too can also have considerable cost implications, because it prioritises off-set BNG sites closest to the development site. Off-site BNG units should be in the same Local Planning Area (LPA) or National Character Area (NCA) as the development site, or failing this neighbouring LPAs and NCAs, before other areas in England are considered. The multiplier makes it cheaper to buy units locally, in order to promote the creation of habitat banks near the development site.
How the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment can help
We have off-site habitat banks in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire registered and ready for sale. This means that, if you are a developer in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire or the surrounding counties looking for off-site BNG credits, we are ideally placed to help you meet your requirements as cost-effectively as possible – while maintaining our beautiful environment.
Wherever you are in the BNG process, we’re here to help. With our track record in helping developers achieve BNG since 2018 – you can see just one of our developers give a testimonial about working with us here – we are the local experts.