FAQ

Establishing a Biodiversity Gain Site can increase the ecological value of your land, provide opportunities for land diversification, and contribute positively to the environment. It allows you to be a part of sustainable land management, fostering richer ecosystems.

There is no specific area requirement, however it is the same area that has to be managed for 30 years. It is not a rotational scheme such as some Countryside Stewardship and SFI schemes.

Conservation covenants are an agreement between a landowner and a responsible body. This type of legal agreement gives you more flexibility over who the agreement is with.

Find out more here.

The timeline and costs depend on various factors, including the size of your property and the scale of development. ILM can provide a tailored plan with estimated timelines and costs to help you navigate the process effectively.

Yes, land may still be used for certain purposes such as cattle grazing and hay making (habitat dependent) albeit that there may be restrictions within the HMMP as to grazing livestock species, stocking density, grazing periods and periods within which hay can be cut.

The landowner will be responsible for monitoring and reporting through the 30 year period. As part of this, they are likely to have to work with an ecologist in order to submit monitoring reports to the responsible body or LPA.

Biodiversity Net Gain can be combined with a Neutrient Neutrality use on the same parcel of land (side-by-side) but not stacked. Biodiversity Net Gain can otherwise not be combined with any other environmental schemes.

Yes! Subject to the required ecological surveys and the history of the land use, BNG can be an excellent use for land that might not be suitable for development.

To avoid potential drawbacks, it’s important to seek specialist advice on this. A government consultation on the income and capital tax treatment of long-term agreements for environmental land uses closed in June and we await the announcement to clarify what this will be.

Yes, if you’re a tenant farmer, you absolutely can sell units, but you will need agreement from the main landowner. Likewise, a landowner will need agreement from affected tenants to undertake BNG.

Yes - careful management of livestock grazing can be beneficial for creating and maintaining habitats. By selecting appropriate livestock breeds and grazing rotations, you can help to control vegetation and promote biodiversity. We'll help you determine the best management plan for your site and farming practices.