Our Story

Joe's Blooms was founded in 2022 to help planning applicants comply with the new 'Biodiversity Net Gain' regulations and improve biodiversity across England

A chaffinch perched on a tiny branchDelphinium flowers in Wick, Pershore, WorcestershireA bumblebee hanging from a flower

In 2023, the UK government is introducing a new ‘Biodiversity Net Gain’ regime to increase biodiversity across the country. From November, planning applications in England—with a handful of exemptions—will only be approved if they include a statutorily compliant ‘Biodiversity Gain Plan’ (BGP).

These plans are mandated by law and include pre-development biodiversity scores calculated in line with Natural England's 'Biodiversity Metric', and set out how development will achieve a 10% increase in each biodiversity score.

  • There is particular concern for the estimated 35,000 SME developers who will need to comply with these regulations.
  • Estimates from independent experts suggest that traditional solutions will cost small developments around £2,000 per planning application.

Joe’s Blooms exists to solve these problems via a very fast, cost-effective online platform that provides planning applicants with a complete and easy-to-use end-to-end solution for producing BGPs in a fraction of the time and cost it would otherwise take.

Joe's Blooms Academic Council

Joe’s Blooms has established an independent Academic Council tasked with reviewing our service on an ongoing basis to make sure that it complies with the highest standards. All members of the Council are independent of Joe’s Blooms and have been asked to only ever give their honest opinion with no restriction on their freedom of speech.

Professor Dave Goulson 

Dave Goulson is Professor of Biology at University of Sussex, specialising in bee ecology. He has published more than 300 scientific articles on the ecology and conservation of bumblebees and other insects.

Professor Goulson has agreed to provide technical advice on specific scientific aspects of the operation of Joe’s Blooms Ltd. This does not imply endorsement of the activities of, or services provided by, Joe’s Blooms Ltd. 

Professor Jane Memmott 

Jane Memmott is a Professor of Ecology at the University of Bristol. Her research focuses on community ecology and she is an expert on the interactions between insect pollinators and plants. A theme that runs through many of her projects is the use of ecological networks as a tool to answer a variety of environmental questions.

Professor Memmott has agreed to provide technical advice on specific scientific aspects of the operation of Joe’s Blooms Ltd. This does not imply endorsement of the activities of, or services provided by, Joe’s Blooms Ltd.

Claire Ivey 

Claire is a land management advisor at the Bumblebee Conservation Trust where she works on helping to maximise and enhance biodiversity. Before, she was a trainee Warden at Dorset Wildlife Trust and worked on ecological surveying and habitat management in a variety of roles.

Claire has agreed to provide technical advice on specific scientific aspects of the operation of Joe’s Blooms Ltd. This does not imply endorsement of the activities of, or services provided by, Joe’s Blooms Ltd.

Dr Robin McArthur

Robin McArthur is an experienced biological researcher, an expert in pollinator ecology and conservation, and a professional life sciences marketing project manager. Robin’s varied experience in scientific research, education and project management allow him to bridge the gap between expert academic advice and practical business implementation.

Robin’s role within Joe’s Blooms is to assemble and chair the Advisory Board – ensuring that Joe’s Blooms receives the best advice possible for the implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain.

Joe's Blooms is a trading name of Joe's Blooms Limited, a company incorporated in England & Wales under company registration no. 13892230 and whose registered office is at 24 Crabtree Road, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 2SZ.