Biodiversity gain site register
The biodiversity gain site register is a national register of land used for biodiversity gains. The Biodiversity Gain Site (BNG) Register will provide a publicly accessible source of information about off-site gains across England. It will record outputs from the BNG metric tool usually completed by a professional ecologist gather, input and assess data relating to a development site.
Contents |
[edit] What is the BNG register?
The biodiversity gain site register is part of the introduction of biodiversity net gain (BNG) planning regulations, a new law which is part of the government’s Environment Act to ensure wildlife habitats are left in a better state than before a development, and in doing so make a significant contribution to the recovery of nature across the UK.
[edit] What are the BNG services?
Natural England is the Operator of the biodiversity gain site register, on behalf of Defra. The Register is one part of the BNG Service which went live when BNG became mandatory. The Service includes a collection of new digital and other services local planning authorities, developers, landowners, and others will need to be BNG compliant some of which include:
[edit] Allocations
Landowners or developers (with landowner permission) can apply to record an allocation of habitat enhancements to their development.
[edit] Statutory biodiversity credits estimator
Developers can calculate the cost of statutory credits ahead of purchasing them.
[edit] Statutory biodiversity credit sales scheme
Developers can apply to purchase statutory credits. This will become a digital service in the spring of 2024.
[edit] Statutory biodiversity metric calculation tool
The Tool uses a habitat-based approach to assess an area’s value to wildlife and uses habitat features to calculate a biodiversity value. Find out more about the tool and how to download. It provides details on how:
- Ecologists or developers can carry out a biodiversity assessment
- Developers who have commissioned a biodiversity assessment can see the number of biodiversity units a proposed development has and what needs to be done to achieve BNG
- Planning authorities can interpret metric outputs in a planning application
- Landowners or land managers who want to provide biodiversity units from their sites to others can understand the potential of their land
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Biodiversity.
- Biodiversity gain.
- Biodiversity in the urban environment.
- Biodiversity offsetting.
- Biophilia.
- Blue-green infrastructure.
- Blue green solutions.
- Designing green and blue roofs.
- Ecological network.
- Ecological impact assessment.
- Ecology.
- Ecology compensation.
- Ecology connectivity.
- Environmental impact assessment.
- Environmental net gain.
- Green infrastructure.
- Green roofs.
- Nature improvement area.
- Natural environment white paper.
- Sustainable development toolkit.
- The future of green infrastructure.
- The sustainability of construction works.
- Water engineering.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Guide to ISO 19650 for Architecture Firms (2026)
A user gives their low down.
A UK training and membership provider for mould remediation professionals.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
Independent NSI and BAFE study exploring how organisations are changing the way they buy fire safety services.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.























