LANDSCAPING & EXTERNAL WORKS 61


SCIENCE & SPATIAL INSIGHT ARE THE KEYS TO LONG-TERM BNG


A data-driven, science-backed approach to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is helping housebuilders manage regulatory risk and align with long-term sustainability goals, explains Neill Hogg at Fera Science Ltd.


DEVELOPERS NEED CONFIDENCE THAT THEIR STRATEGIES WILL STAND UP TO FUTURE SCRUTINY


uncertainty persists. A


Concerns remain around the accuracy of biodiversity measurements, the complexity of long-term tracing, and the fi nancial pressures involved in navigating an evolving compliance landscape. ith most new developments currently required to demonstrate at least a  improvement in biodiversity, there is growing recognition that scalable, evidence based approaches offer clarity and confi dence.


hile conceptually aligned with broader sustainability goals, the practical realities of achieving BNG are far from simple.


heres still uncertainty around whether current  delivery models will deliver the intended outcomes, especially over a 3-year period. hat uncertainty stems in part from


s the housing sector adapts to the realities of BNG regulation in its fi rst full year of implementation,


how the iodiversity etric is interpreted, the capacity of local planning authorities to enforce requirements, and decisions around whether to pursue onsite or offsite delivery.


OFFSITE VS ONSITE


hile many developers adopt an onsite fi rst strategy, offsite delivery, such as sourcing biodiversity units externally, offers another route to compliance. heres a logic to using external providers. hese organisations often have more formalised governance and ongoing management practices in place. n areas where planning teams are under-resourced, this external overview may offer greater assurance that  obligations will be upheld over time. hat said, onsite schemes remain a core part of many developments, but may face challenges if long-term ecological management is not adequately planned for.


THE IMPORTANCE OF BASELINE DATA For both delivery approaches, the foundation of any successful  plan is an accurate habitat baseline. aseline habitat mapping is the fi rst building bloc in any  strategy. very subsequent decision, from uplift and monitoring to compliance, is derived from that initial assessment. hile traditional fi eld surveys remain essential for ecological due diligence, spatial tools using remote sensing and  geographic information systems are increasingly being applied at the early land acquisition stage.


These approaches enable developers to conduct rapid, des-based habitat assessments, often across large or multiple sites, ahead of detailed planning. ne such tool, Feras 3, supports digital habitat mapping that can be integrated into developers  platforms. his doesnt replace traditional methods, but it gives early insight that can


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