THE BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN TOOL

The Biodiversity Net Gain Tool offers small sites end-to end compliance with the new BNG law. BNG made quick, affordable, and hassle free. 

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Thousands of developers and architects have used our BNG tool. Get the BNG documents you need too!

Fast. Affordable. Accurate.

As of the 2nd of April 2024, every planning application must either comply with BNG or provide detailed reasons and evidence about why it's exempt.With our Biodiversity Net Gain calculator:

01

Get a complete Biodiversity Gain Plan guaranteed to be compliant with the new laws

02

Receive all the necessary supporting documents including a completed Biodiversity Metric calculation and Ordnance Survey-powered maps

BNG tool
What you get with Joe's Blooms’s BNG tool

Joe's Blooms produces the documents you need to provide to the Local Planning Authority. You'll receive:

•

A completed small site metric

•

A completed Biodiversity Gain Plan

•

Baseline and post-development habitat plans
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Streamline your BNG with our BNG tool

Thousands of developers and architects have used our BNG tool.

Our end-to-end platform streamlines the entire BNG process, getting you from zero to approved, as quickly as possible.

Instantly identify which rules apply to your site and what you need to do to comply.

Our intuitive web app and its purpose-built GIS tools make it easy to prepare and collate everything.

Optimise for the specifics of your site with our easy-to-grasp analysis and flexible solution finder.

Generate your fully compliant BGP and submit it to your Local Planning Authority.

Make as many amendments as you need, free of charge - no repeat costs.

Testimonials

Hear what our people say

Navigate this confusing landscape of BNG and getting the necessary legal documentation.

"With the introduction of the new BNG requirements for planning applications,  it was a lifeline discovering Joe’s Blooms website. The online experience was easy with helpful steps along the way and the results arrived in my inbox within a minute.  
‍
We feel that we’ve found a friend in Joe’s Blooms who will guide us through BNG."

William Ashley
Monks Green Farm

"We do small developments of one or two houses, generally seeking to create nice designs architecturally but above all create sustainable and affordable houses for families, either as a "self build process", or as small development. We were finding it hard to see how we could meet the BNG requirement and particularly how it all works. Thank goodness we found Joe's Blooms. It has saved the day and as we embarked on our first BNG exercise we have had enormous help from the team and now have a  understanding of the very eloquent and clever website and tools for BNG.

The process, once mastered, is actually brilliant and works to show how enhancement of biodiversity is possible. We are hoping to get a good response!

Super site and tools and really very helpful and patient support from the team."
‍

Ken
Asgard House Limited
Trustpilot

Fully comply with the new BNG law and get all the evidence and documents you need

From 2 April 2024, every planning application must either comply with BNG or provide detailed reasons and evidence about why it's exempt. Our tools and friendly team can help you comply in minutes.

01

Use our digital tools to produce best-in-class Biodiversity Gain Plans (BGPs) that fully comply with the Environment Act 2021 and Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

02

Our tools also produce the supplementary documents needed for your BGP, including a completed Biodiversity Metric and Ordnance Survey-powered mapping.

Produce best-in-class Biodiversity Gain Plans with our smart technology

We include everything you need to get your BGP approved:

•

A complete Biodiversity Gain Plan guaranteed to be compliant with the new laws

•

All the necessary supporting documents including a completed Biodiversity Metric calculation and Ordnance Survey-powered maps

Net gain needn’t let you or your planning application down: make biodiversity simple with the BNG Tool.

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Be ready for your next planning application

KADS Design Ltd faced a time-sensitive project: designing new garages in Bulkington, Warwickshire while the Local Planning Authority (LPA) mandated BNG compliance.

Small Site Metric Process
BNG Tool
10,000 m2

total area and less than 1,000m2 new commercial floorspace

10 %

on-site biodiversity net gain

The Solution:

Leveraging the Small Site Metric (SSM) Process:

  • Site qualifications: Under 10,000m2 total area and less than 1,000m2 new commercial floorspace

  • Advantage: Expedited process without external ecologists or consultants

Utilising Joe’s Blooms Biodiversity Net Gain Tool:

  • Site Mapping: KADS easily mapped existing habitats (sealed surface and vacant/derelict land)

  • Impact Assessment: Evaluated biodiversity impact of original plans

  • Collaborative Redesign: Conducted same-day site visit with the client

  • Iterative Design: Used the tool to adapt plans, incorporating trees and high-quality grassland habitats

The Results:

  • Rapid Turnaround: New, BNG-compliant design created within hours

  • Exceeded Requirements: Achieved over 10% on-site biodiversity gain

  • Mitigation Hierarchy Compliance: Fully aligned with environmental principles

  • Cost-Effective: Avoided expensive consultations and delays

  • Streamlined Submission: Quickly prepared and submitted all necessary documentation to the LPA

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Optimising Agricultural Development with our Biodiversity Net Gain Calculator

Bluestone Planning needed to secure their planning permission with a BNG metric sheet, overcoming obstacles such as biodiversity loss due to building over grassland.

Small Site Metric Process
BNG Tool
10,000 m2

total area and less than 1,000m2 new commercial floorspace

10 %

on-site biodiversity net gain

The Solution:

Leveraging the Small Site Metric (SSM) Process:

  • Site qualifications: Under 10,000m2 total area and less than 1,000m2 new building footprint

  • Advantage: Use of digital tools instead of external ecological consultants

Utilising Joe’s Blooms Biodiversity Net Gain Tool:

  • Habitat Mapping: Detailed mapping of all habitats within the red line

  • Design Adaptation: Explored possibilities for red line adjustment within client needs and BNG policy

  • Creative Solutions:

    • Added small trees (saplings with DBH under 30cm) to field perimeter

    • Improved grass mix in margins for increased species richness

The Results:

  • Successful Design Iteration: Transformed barren field margin into a species-rich area

  • Aesthetic Improvement: Enhanced the new development and wider site appearance

  • BNG Compliance: Met and exceeded requirements through on-site solutions

  • Efficient Documentation: Instantly generated SSM excel sheet and habitat plans

  • Streamlined Submission: Quickly prepared and submitted all necessary documentation to the Local Planning Authority

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2/2

Pricing

Pay on your terms! Either pay as you go or, if you're interested in an enterprise subscription, we can set your organisation up with bespoke access to our tool.

Pay per site

Ideal for busy people - a simple, one off-payment that will allow you to get all the documents you need to comply with BNG. No extra payments and no small print - just total control and total visability of any site in England.

From £495

inc. VAT per project

Take advantage of the early bird prices!
‍

Please note £495 is the normal price point for a standard application. Prices can range between £495 and £995 for more complex sites.

Get started

Enterprise subscription

Ideal for businesses who are looking to achieve savings and secure a tailor-made , bespoke service. Secure access to the BNG Tool for your team on your terms, along with the support package that works for you.

Take advantage of the early bird prices

Contact us
Pay per site

Get all the BNG documents you need with a one-off payment.

From £495
/ inc. VAT per project
Full end-to-end digital tools
Unlimited revisions
Produce all documents (including the metric sheet)
Produce a complete metric sheet
Produce a habitat plan (baseline and post-development habitat maps)
Produce a complete Biodiversity Gain Plan
Extensive digital and email support
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Human support and guidance by video call  
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Unlimited projects
Get Started
Premium

We assist you in real time via video call, guiding you every step of the way.

£1250
/ inc. VAT per project
Full end-to-end digital tools
Unlimited revisions
Produce all documents (including the metric sheet)
Produce a complete metric sheet
Produce a habitat plan (baseline and post-development habitat maps)
Produce a complete Biodiversity Gain Plan
Extensive digital and email support
Human support and guidance by video call  
close icon
Unlimited projects
Get Started
Enterprise

Get access to the BNG tool for your team - ideal for businesses.

Full end-to-end digital tools
Unlimited revisions
Produce all documents (including the metric sheet)
Produce a complete metric sheet
Produce a habitat plan (baseline and post-development habitat maps)
Produce a complete Biodiversity Gain Plan
Extensive digital and email support
Human support and guidance by video call  
Unlimited projects
Get Started

Sign up to find out when the BNG Tool can support Large Sites and Off-Sites

The Biodiversity Net Gain Tool will soon be able to help large sites and biodiversity gain sites comply with the BNG law. If you want to be kept informed please sign up below.

Thank you! We'll keep you updated with the latest updates on BNG
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Check if you are exempt from BNG

With our Exemption Checker, you can see whether you are exempt from the new law and, if so, produce the documents you need to provide to your LPA.

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Got a question?

Which tool should I use?Request a demoSee all FAQs

What are the BNG requirements for 2024?

The UK government has introduced a mandatory biodiversity net gain (BNG) obligation, effective from February 2024. The key requirements are:

  • New developments must submit a Biodiversity Gain Plan.

  • This plan should demonstrate how they will provide a minimum net gain of 10% to biodiversity over 30+ years.

  • Developers need to use the Statutory Biodiversity Metric or the Small Site Metric to calculate the biodiversity value of their land and the impact of their development.

Find out more information here. 

How does the BNG metric work?

The BNG metric, officially called the Statutory Biodiversity Metric, works as follows:

  • It assesses the impact of development projects on biodiversity.

  • It measures biodiversity loss and gain, quantifying the biodiversity value into units.

  • It provides a standardized approach for all projects across England to ensure biodiversity is measured consistently.

  • The metric takes into account various types of habitats, including grassland, hedgerows, lakes, woodland, and watercourses.

  • It calculates the number of biodiversity units present before development and the number needed to achieve the 10% net gain.

Read more about the Statutory Biodiversity Metric here. 

How is BNG measured? How do you calculate net gain?

BNG is measured using the Biodiversity Metric tool, which quantifies biodiversity value in terms of "biodiversity units" (BUs). It measures: 

  • The number of biodiversity units are there before development starts

  • The number of new biodiversity units that you need, to replace the units lost and achieve 10% BNG.

Depending on the size and type of your development, you will either need to complete the Statutory Biodiveristy Metric or the Small Sites Metric. 
Read more about the BNG assessment here. 

Which biodiversity metric should I use?

The choice of biodiversity metric depends on the size and type of your development:

  1. Statutory Biodiversity Metric:

    • Used for major developments

    • Requires a qualified ecologist to complete

    • More comprehensive and detailed

  2. Small Site Metric (SSM):

    • Can be used for 'small sites' that meet specific criteria:

      • 1 to 9 houses on land up to 1 hectare (or less than 0.5 hectares if number of houses is unknown)

      • New business buildings with space less than 1,000 square metres or total land less than 1 hectare

    • Does not require a qualified ecologist

    • Simpler version of the metric sheet

You should use the Small Site Metric if your development qualifies as a 'small site'. Otherwise, you'll need to use the Statutory Biodiversity Metric and likely engage a professional ecologist to assist with the calculations.
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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.
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Our name

Joe’s Blooms is a family business which is named after Joe Lewis - who sadly passed away in 2012. He was a much loved son and brother.The family decided to name the company after him, as we wanted to take Joe on this journey with us. We also wanted to link his name to an effort to support habitat restoration all over the country.

We miss him terribly. “I want to be happy. I want everybody to be happy”.

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