Biodiversity Net Gain is becoming increasingly important for developers to deliver successfully. But navigating the specific rules around habitat trading can be confusing. This article aims to simplify the process, focusing on the BNG Trading Rules outlined in the Statutory Metric Guidance.

What are BNG Trading Rules?

BNG trading rules act as a set of guidelines to ensure “no net loss” of biodiversity during development projects. They dictate how developers can compensate for the loss of existing habitats by creating or enhancing new ones. These new habitats must be of the same distinctiveness or higher, offering greater ecological value.

Key Points of BNG Trading Rules

Like for Like or Trading Up: The rules prioritise replacing lost habitats with similar ones (same type and distinctiveness). For example, a loss of medium distinctiveness woodland should be compensated for by creating a new medium distinctiveness woodland or another habitat of higher distinctiveness.

Trading Options Based on Unit Modules: There are three different ‘modules’ of Biodiversity Unit, these are Area Habitat, Hedgerow and Watercourse units. Biodiversity units within each of these groups can only be replaced with units within the same group. For instance, lost hedgerow units can be compensated for with similar hedgerows or higher distinctiveness hedgerows, but not area habitat units or watercourse units of any kind.

Watercourse Compensation: When compensating for list watercourses, the new section should have similar features and functions. Replacing a headwater stream with a lowland river wouldn’t be acceptable, for example.

Woodland Creation Considerations: Creating woodland for BNG shouldn’t come at the expense of existing woodlands. While woodland creation is encouraged, enhancement of existing woodlands can also be used for compensation. For felled woodlands, specific rules apply regarding the baseline habitat and target condition.

What if Standard Rules Don’t Apply?

In exceptional circumstances, developers can apply “Rule 4”. This allows for deviations from standard trading rules if the project involves:

Restoring a historically important habitat with optimal conditions
Highly complex landscape changes like creating heathland mosaics
Large-scale river restoration projects

The Importance of Expert Guidance

While this article provides a simplified overview, navigating BNG and its intricacies can be complex. For successful implementation of BNG trading rules, seeking guidance from qualified ecologists is highly recommended.

Head to Part 2 where we delve deeper into specific aspects of BNG, like the role of the biodiversity metric tool and achieving exceptional ecological outcomes through Rule 4. Read it here.

Frequently Asked Questions About BNG Trading Rules

What are BNG trading rules?
BNG trading rules determine how developers must offset biodiversity loss. They ensure that like-for-like or like-for-better habitat compensation is applied when biodiversity units are secured off-site.

Can a developer purchase any biodiversity units?
No. Biodiversity units must follow trading rules, meaning they should match the type and distinctiveness of habitats impacted by development.

How do I know how many BNG units I need?
You must work with an ecologist to assess your site’s biodiversity baseline and calculate the required units using the Statutory Biodiversity Metric.

What happens if I can’t meet BNG requirements on-site?
If on-site solutions aren’t viable, you can purchase off-site biodiversity units from a registered Gain Site.

🔗 Need help securing off-site biodiversity units? Complete our enquiry form and send us your metric and we’ll provide a quote!

Featured