How Is Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Transforming Small Site Development?

Buildings and structures are rapidly growing across the UK. Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is now a legal requirement for new developments in England. Developers must plan to deliver a BNG of 10%, resulting in better quality natural habitat. This legislation ensures that developments and land management have a net positive impact on biodiversity.

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BNG was traditionally applied to large infrastructures, but from April 2024, this legislation applies to small sites as well, per the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)) These changes bring new requirements and a few challenges for small site developers - but with the right tools these can be easily overcome!

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What’s New For Small Developments?

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Earlier, BNG was applicable for large development sites. The new law now applies BNG rules to small sites as well. Small sites are the developments that are not considered ‘major’, including sites that are under 10,000m2 (and meet a few other criteria).  

Including small sites in BNG prevents potential loopholes. Without this rule, larger projects might artificially subdivide to evade the 10% requirement, undermining public confidence and environmental safeguards. This expansion acknowledges small sites' cumulative impact on local biodiversity. Let's explore why BNG matters for small site development.

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Why BNG Matters For Small Site Development?

Regulatory Compliance 

Fulfilling the BNG requirement is not just selective but mandatory. Small site developers, planners, and landowners need to integrate biodiversity considerations to achieve a 10% biodiversity net gain.

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As enforcement strengthens, small site developers may face more rigorous scrutiny to ensure compliance with BNG targets. Non-compliance can lead to delays and the denial of planning permissions. Thus, making BNG an essential step in planning and development.

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Enhanced Reputation And Value 

As the public becomes aware of biodiversity and sustainability, projects prioritising biodiversity enhance public perception and trust in the site. Better biodiversity increases property value and attracts investors by creating more appealing and sustainable living and working environments. 

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Further, BNG can create economic avenues through ecotourism and green infrastructure projects. Integrating biodiversity helps small site developers gain commercial benefits while reducing environmental degradation.

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Environmental Responsibility.  

Even small developments can collectively harm biodiversity. BNG plays a critical role in reversing biodiversity loss, essential for maintaining a healthy ecosystem. New small site developments need to focus on innovative design and integrating green infrastructure.

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By prioritising nature-inclusive solutions, small site developers and landowners will fulfill their environmental responsibility and enhance habitat credibility and resilience in the face of climate change.

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Three Ways Small Site Developers Can Implement BNG. 

On-site BNG.

This involves creating, enhancing, or restoring biodiversity within the 'red line' boundaries of the development site. This option is cheaper, and planning authorities often prefer restoring on-site BNG over offsets.

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Off-site BNG.

If full BNG cannot be restored on site, developers can choose between on-site and off-site development. This includes purchasing off-site biodiversity units in the market from registered suppliers. 

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Statutory Biodiversity Credits. 

If combined on-site and off-site BNG is not feasible, developers need to purchase statutory biodiversity credits from the government. The government uses these funds to develop habitats across England, but they should only be a last resort.

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Digital Tools: The Saviour For Small Site Developers

BNG compliance is complicated. Many small site owners or developers don’t know if the 10% BNG requirements apply to their small sites. With intimidating metric sheets and complex frameworks, complying with BNG requirements becomes a major inconvenience for small site developers.Plus, incorrect claim exemption leads to LPAs delaying planning applications. 

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That is where Joe’s Blooms BNG Tool comes in as a solution, offering everything that small developers need to complete the BNG process and produce all the documents they need to submit to the local planning authority.   

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How Joe's Blooms Helps Small Site Developers?

Joe’s Bloom’s BNG Tool helps small sites with everything they need to complete the biodiversity BNG process and produce all the documents they need to submit to the local planning authority. All with no delays and no compromise on standards. Our services include:

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‍A Complete SSM Assessment

Our tool guides you through the process of completing the SSM for your project, supporting accurate data entry and interpretation of results. At the end, you’ll receive the metric sheet, which is the key statutory document to be submitted to the local authority - along with maps and a Biodiversity Gain Plan. 

Ongoing advice

As you move through the planning and development process, we're here to answer questions and provide guidance on implementing your biodiversity enhancements.

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Why Choose Joe’s Blooms BNG Tool?

It Usually Takes Less Than 1 Hour

It’s a one-stop solution portal helping users check if they are exempt, calculate their site’s biodiversity scores, help them choose their net gain options, and then fill in all the paperwork needed for approval. On average, we find most applicants can complete the process in 45 minutes.

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End-to-End Hassle-Free Process

We partner with PlanningPortal, UKGBC, and UKHab for users, providing them with the right documents in the right format to submit along with the planning application.

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Affordable

Unlike competitors who charge thousands of dollars, we assist users and complete their BNG process for a fraction of their cost, as little as £495 (inclusive of VAT)

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Case Study #10: This Developer Used the Joe’s Blooms Tool To Replace A Bungalow and Secure 20% BNG Gain (In Less Than A Day)

The Challenge Faced By the Developer

A 350 m2 residential development in the southeast region was vacant and derelict. 

This small site had little room for biodiversity improvements, making it difficult for developers to meet the Biodiversity Net Gain Requirements. The developer had to think out of the box to find a solution to comply with this requirement.

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How Joe’s Blooms Resolved This Problem

The developer used Joe’s Blooms BNG tool to explore options through a user-friendly GIS interface. The tool produced an SSM(Small Sites Metric) report, identifying grass verges beyond the site’s boundary as viable locations for new saplings—an idea that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. 

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The Results 

With Local Planning Authority (LPA) approval, the project was completed in less than one day, securing over 20% BNG gain with 30.64% Habitat Biodiversity Unit (HBU) gain at a minimal cost.

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Dive into Joe’s Blooms report on 100 successful case studies on small site developments.

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12,000 Users Can’t be Wrong!

• Over 12,000 people used one or more of Joe’s Blooms tools to determine whether they needed to comply with BNG to help produce their biodiversity statement or biodiversity metric sheets and habitat plans.

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• Over 500 planning applications used Joe’s Blooms “Biodiversity Net Gain Tool” to complete all elements of their BNG application.

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• Joe’s Blooms metric sheets and BNG plans were sent to over 200 Local Planning Authorities in England.

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• 98.2% of all planning applications reported no problems or issues while using the “Biodiversity Net Gain Tool”.

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• 41.6% of all planning applications were completed in under 24 hours, with many taking as little as 45 minutes.

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Dive into Joe’s Blooms report on 100 successful case studies on small site developments.

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The Future of Biodiversity

As Biodiversity Net Gain becomes mandatory for all new developments in England, the Small Sites Metric (SSM) has driven measurable biodiversity gains and demonstrated its potential to address the biodiversity crisis. By simplifying the process for smaller developments, SSM helps everyone have a level playing field.

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Navigate Your BNG Legislation Challenges With Joe’s Blooms

Joe's Blooms helps you comply with England's Biodiversity Net Gain rules with its best-in-class digital tools and specialist support, with the following:

• BNG Tool offering small sites end-to end compliance with the new BNG law

• BNG Exemption Checker helps you find out if BNG applies to your development and provides other information

• Explore Tool, which helps you find out how many biodiversity Units can be created on any piece of land in England.

• Our LPA Portal ensures full biodiversity net gain compliance and control for Local Planning Authorities. 

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Achieving Biodiversity Net Gain is about creating better, more sustainable spaces for both people and nature. With the Small Sites Metric and Joe's Blooms on hand, you can turn this requirement into an opportunity to make a real, positive impact on your local environment.

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Connect with our experts to learn more.

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