Biodiversity Net Gain

Designing landscapes to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain.

We embed biodiversity into every stage of the planning and design process — identifying ecological constraints early and delivering measurable enhancements.

Planning for Biodiversity Net Gain

Landscape-based planning, built around BNG

At tba, we specialise in landscape-based planning solutions tailored to the needs of developers. Our team is well-versed in current legislation and regularly liaises with local authority planning departments and statutory bodies. We bring expertise in Biodiversity Net Gain, helping clients navigate evolving environmental requirements with confidence.

Collaborative, ecologically-informed design

We work closely with ecologists and developers to embed biodiversity into every stage of the planning and design process. This allows us to:

✓ Identify ecological constraints early.

✓ Develop effective mitigation strategies.

✓ Deliver enhancements that meet national policy and local priorities.

Our experience includes

✓ Habitat creation and restoration.

✓ Green infrastructure planning.

✓ Designing landscapes that achieve measurable biodiversity outcomes.

✓ Supporting clients in meeting BNG targets and regulatory obligations.

The process

How a typical BNG assessment runs.

Baseline survey

A UK Habitat Classification survey of the site records habitat type, condition and strategic significance for every parcel.
To be carried out by a qualified ecologist

Metric baseline

The statutory biodiversity metric is run to establish the site's pre-development unit value in habitat, hedgerow and watercourse units.
To be carried out by a qualified ecologist

Design iteration

We balance landscape designs to put our clients’ needs first while respecting, site limits, practical uses and the ecologist findings. We work closely with ecologists to refine each scheme to achieve 10% biodiversity net gain on-site where possible.

Landscape and management plan

We collaborate with ecologists to deliver a comprehensive landscape and management plan, combining our maintenance expertise for new planting and their specialised methods for preserving existing habitats.

In practice

Landscape enhancements that assist BNG

A development landscape drawing annotated with the measures that assist BNG — usable open space and play value, sloped and retained areas, offset zones, and fencing to protect retained habitats.

Pollinator planting establishing on site.

Attenuation designed as habitat, supporting amphibians.

Wildflower grassland supporting invertebrates through the season.

Common questions

What clients usually ask us.

Can we achieve net gain entirely on site? Usually yes, if landscape input starts before the layout is fixed.

Does BNG apply to our site? Most major and minor development does; a narrow set of exemptions remains.

When should the baseline be done? Before layout freeze — ideally at land appraisal, and always before the first survey season is missed.

Who maintains the habitat for thirty years? Typically a management company or the authority, under the regime we set out in the management plan.

Talk to us about BNG