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Call Me Home / Services / Development / Ecology Consultancy / Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG): Enhancing Ecosystems and Promoting Sustainable Development
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At Arthian, we are committed to driving sustainability by supporting recent changes in policy and legislation by implementing the principle of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). As a multidisciplinary team, we see Biodiversity Net Gain as more than just an environmental requirement—it is an opportunity to enhance natural habitats and ecosystems in harmony with human development.
Biodiversity Net Gain is a tool which allows us to measure the net change in the biodiversity value of a site before and after development. This approach requires developers to not only mitigate damage to biodiversity but also enhance it, aiming for at least a 10% net gain compared to pre-development conditions. Biodiversity Net Gain can involve the creation, restoration, or enhancement of habitats, either on-site or through off-site measures.
Since the introduction of the Environment Act 2021 in the UK, Biodiversity Net Gain has become a mandatory part of development projects in England. Developers must demonstrate how their project will deliver at least a 10% improvement in biodiversity, which must be maintained for a minimum of 30 years. This shift from merely mitigating biodiversity loss to actively improving it is key – ensuring biodiversity and development to be mutually beneficial.
Arthian’s Ecology Team can assist your business in:
By prioritizing Biodiversity Net Gain, businesses contribute to the long-term well-being of both nature and society. Implementing Biodiversity Net Gain offers several benefits for developers:
At Arthian, we can work closely with our clients and their consultant teams to integrate Biodiversity Net Gain into all stages of development, ensuring that your project not only meets legal requirements but also delivers real ecological and economic value.
As a multidisciplinary consultancy, we recognize that Biodiversity Net Gain is an overarching theme that influences all aspects of sustainable development. Our professionals collaborate to integrate Biodiversity Net Gain into every project phase, ensuring BNG is a driving force behind the design and delivery of your project.
For our planning team, integrating Biodiversity Net Gain from the earliest stages is highly beneficial for securing planning permission and delivering long-term environmental benefits. We work with clients to develop biodiversity-led strategies that align with local and national planning policies. By incorporating Biodiversity Net Gain into master planning, we create developments that are sustainable, resilient, and in harmony with nature.
Sustainable engineering plays a crucial role in achieving Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) by integrating nature-friendly infrastructure into development projects – allowing us to offer cross-discipline solutions with a single design. Key solutions include sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), green roofs, and biodiversity-focused designs for highways and maintenance areas. SuDS, such as permeable pavements and swales, mimic natural water management processes, reducing flood risk while creating wetland habitats for diverse species.
Green roofs offer urban wildlife refuges, supporting pollinators and birds while improving air quality and insulation. Along highways and maintenance areas, using native planting and habitat creation can transform these spaces into ecological corridors, connecting wildlife populations and enhancing biodiversity. These engineering approaches not only contribute to sustainability but also ensure that developments leave a positive legacy for the natural environment.
Landscape architects and designers play a pivotal role in achieving BNG by working with our ecology team to design appropriate site layouts to maximise BNG score. By selecting native tree and hedge species that support local wildlife, our team can create habitats that enhance biodiversity. Mixed hedgerows with fruit-bearing shrubs, flowering species, and varied heights provide food, shelter, and dispersal corridors for terrestrial wildlife. Our multidisciplinary team will work together to design green elements to align with the local ecosystem, soil conditions, and climate to ensure that they thrive and contribute effectively to long-term biodiversity goals.
At Arthian, Biodiversity Net Gain is central to our approach to sustainable development. As a multidisciplinary team, we integrate BNG across our planning, environmental, ecological, engineering, and landscape services, ensuring that biodiversity enhancements are built into every project we deliver.
By partnering with us, you can be confident that your project will not only meet the legal requirements for Biodiversity Net Gain but also contribute to the long-term health of ecosystems and communities. Whether you are navigating new planning regulations or seeking innovative ways to incorporate BNG into your project, our team is here to help.
