Biodiversity Net Gain breakfast event key takeaways

We recently hosted a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) breakfast event in partnership with Belmont Estate, and it was a resounding success. Under clear blue skies, attendees enjoyed early morning networking and breakfast.

The highlight was an engaging panel discussion featuring experts from DEFRA, Summerfield Developments, Turley, and Belmont. Here are our top five takeaways from the event:

Long-term responsibility

Our panel delved into the long-term management and funding of onsite BNG initiatives. One proposed solution is transferring this responsibility to a Resident Management Company (RMC). However, concerns arise as RMC directors may lack the necessary expertise, raising questions about consistent delivery and potential liability. Despite these challenges, we remain optimistic and look forward to innovative solutions and greater clarity in this evolving area.

Policy & Governance

DEFRA’s BNG policies have laid a solid foundation, but further clarity, unblocking, and resourcing of legal agreements and conservation covenants are crucial for market growth and stability. It's encouraging to see DEFRA acknowledging diverse BNG examples in planning applications, from sewage works to schools and small residential developments. However, this diversity underscores the need for a robust policy structure.

Minimising risks with partnerships

The debate over onsite versus offsite BNG delivery remains a ‘hot’ topic. The consensus? Both are essential. To minimise risk and see offsite delivery as an opportunity rather than a burden, partnering with a credible offsite provider is key. Choosing a partner with integrity, brand equity, and the expertise to manage your project for the full 30-year term is crucial. Even better, select a partner who incorporates community building into their offering.

It’s an iterative process

BNG is an iterative process, which is both a strength and a challenge. Striving for perfection from the start can lead to inaction, so continuous refinement and improvement are crucial. However, this iterative nature also brings uncertainty, making widespread adoption outside of specialist circles more difficult. This learning phase is vital for developing effective and sustainable BNG strategies, despite the challenges it presents.

LNRS

With a new government in place, it’s difficult to speculate how BNG will progress over the next 12 months. But Labour certainly has ambitious plans for the planning sector. The rollout of the Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) framework in March 2025 will help to strategically prioritise specific habitats and connectivity between habitats on a landscape-scale through incentivisation. LNRS will offer landowners more incentivisation opportunities, potentially increasing BNG uptake by enhancing the value of BNG produced in strategic habitats (i.e: 1 unit could be worth 1.125).

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the event and a massive thank you to all our expert speakers.