FAQ’s

What are Biodiversity Units and how are they calculated?

Biodiversity units are a measurement of biodiversity used to assess Biodiversity Net Gain. The number of Biodiversity Units provided by a site is calculated using the Statutory Biodiversity Metric which must be completed by a specialist ecologist. Using site proposals, the post-completion number of Biodiversity Units can also be calculated.

The Statutory Biodiversity Metric is a tool developed by Defra to determine the likely effect of site plans on biodiversity, whether it is intended for development or as a proposed Habitat Bank.

What is a Habitat Bank?

In Habitat Banks, Biodiversity Units are generated by making nature-positive implementations on existing land, creating a ‘surplus’ of units, which can then be sold.

What Is The Market for Biodiversity Units?

Biodiversity Net Gain requires all planned developments (with certain exceptions) to achieve a 10% net gain, however, this is not always feasible for them to achieve onsite. Where this is not feasible, the shortfall of Biodiversity Units must be made up off-site to ensure their obligations are met. This is usually done at dedicated Habitat Banks.

Given this, Biodiversity Units generated are typically sold to development companies where they have been unable to generate a 10% net gain on their development sites - which is a very common theme. As such, Biodiversity Units are currently in demand.

What do I need to do to turn my land into a Habitat Bank?

To create a Habitat Bank you will need to establish the baseline ecological information for your site. Next, you require the details of how you plan to generate Biodiversity Units, how many units are expected to be generated and how the habitats associated with the units are to be managed over a 30-year period. This information needs to be detailed and realistic, and as such, must be done by a specialist ecologist.

The above measures must be secured through a series of legal agreements along with a schedule for implementation, management and monitoring processes.

Establishing a Habitat Bank can feel like a daunting process, however it can also yield significant rewards, both financially for a land owner, but also for nature recovery.

If you are a landowner interested in exploring your options - we are here to help. We can guide and manage the entire process from beginning to end on your behalf, while affording you flexibility to be fully involved.

How many Units could I have to sell and how much can I sell them for?

This can vary enormously with a lot of considerations to factor in. Such considerations include the size of the parcel, the existing habitat types present, the condition of those habitats and the achievable post-completion scenario agreed upon. The lower the existing habitat condition the greater the possible yield of units is likely to be. Often arable and very poor grasslands can yield the best results, however this can vary.

Once generated and registered, Biodiversity Units can be sold, and you have the autonomy to set your selling price. While there is an average market price that fluctuates based on habitat classification, the final decision on your selling price rests with you. For more detailed information on current market prices, please sign up for a copy of the latest market pricing report available at https://biodiversity-units.uk/signup.

The Wild Company: What Makes Us Different?

At The Wild Company we specialise in establishing Habitat Banks on behalf of landowners from the beginning of the process right the way through to sale, dealing with any and all correspondence, meetings and project management, regardless of how long this may take. This takes the stress out of the process for the landowner. This also means that we act with the highest levels of professional integrity because if we take on a project, we must be confidently able to deliver across each and every stage of the process right up to the point of sale. 

Our professional and friendly team includes our own in-house, FISC certified ecologist and habitat specialist, so you can be confident in our assessments knowing that no corners have been cut and no unattainable targets have been set.

Why Do I Need To Register As a BNG Site/Habitat Bank?

To sell the units a landowner must first register the site as a BNG site on the national register. This requires the landowner to provide certain information related to land ownership and permissions. At The Wild Company we are able to do this on your behalf. 

What are Conservation Covenants and Responsible Bodies? 

A responsible body is an organisation designated by Defra that is responsible for the monitoring of a site across the 30 year management period to ensure the objectives of the plans are met. This includes making recommendations and enforcement of improvements if objectives are not being met. 

A conservation covenant is the name given to the legal agreement between the land owner and the responsible body for the preservation of the natural features onsite.

Are the Biodiversity Monitoring Surveys controlled by the Responsible Body via the Conservation Covenant?

Yes - the responsible body will undertake the monitoring within the agreed timeframes. These dates will be agreed with the landowner ahead of being carried out, so no one will be arriving unannounced.

Who Pays For The Ongoing Maintenance?

Part of the process of establishing a Habitat Bank is business planning for management costs, and these should be set aside by the land owner to fund this ongoing management. The amount is agreed between the landowner and Responsible Body based on reasonable assumptions and market costs.

We would always aim to provide the most cost-effective options for achieving a biodiversity uplift by planning in the lowest cost implementation/maintenance options available wherever possible, as well as factoring in landowner ambitions for the land. Many of the costs that will be listed in the business plan are also largely theoretical and may never be spent, for example, costs associated with course correction being implemented if a habitat fails to establish.

The cost of the maintenance over the 30 year period is typically far exceeded by the capital generated by the sale of the units. Setting aside a proportion of this normally covers this aspect comfortably.

How Do I Sell My Units and How Long Until I Get Paid?

The units can be sold to developers as soon as they are registered with Natural England. 

The sale of the units is the point at which you can expect to get paid.