At BNG Survey, we help developers, planners, and landowners across the UK meet the growing environmental requirements for sustainable development.

With the UK Environment Act now mandating measurable biodiversity improvements, our experienced ecologists ensure your BNG Survey identifies the necessary actions to achieve at least a 10% gain while meeting local planning authority standards.

From baseline data collection to targeted habitat recommendations, we provide a balanced, development-friendly approach that keeps projects compliant while supporting environmental enhancement.

Why Is a BNG Survey Important for Developments?

A BNG survey is a detailed ecological assessment that measures the current biodiversity value of a site and identifies opportunities to leave it in a measurably better condition after development.

This process is a legal requirement for most planning applications, ensuring developments actively contribute to habitat restoration, species protection, and long-term ecological resilience.

Which Types of Projects Require a BNG Survey?

BNG survey requirements apply to a wide range of developments, including:

• Residential developments – From small housing schemes to large estates, particularly on greenfield or sensitive ecological sites.
• Commercial builds – Offices, retail premises, warehouses, and mixed-use developments.
• Infrastructure projects – Roads, railways, bridges, and utilities that impact habitats or wildlife corridors.
• Major refurbishments – Large-scale redevelopments with significant ecological implications.
• Agricultural projects – Land-use changes, new farm infrastructure, and drainage alterations.
• Renewable energy installations – Solar farms, wind farms, and related works.
• Industrial expansions – Facility construction or site enlargements in ecologically sensitive areas.

How Much Does a BNG Survey Cost?

The cost of a BNG survey ranges from £5,000 to over £50,000, depending on the site’s existing biodiversity, the complexity of required enhancements, and whether actions are delivered on-site or off-site.

Factors affecting costs include habitat creation or restoration requirements, landscaping complexity, specialist monitoring needs, and long-term management commitments.

Contact BNG Survey to get a tailored quotation for your project.

How Do Ecologists Conduct a BNG Survey?

Our ecologists use the DEFRA Biodiversity Metric to carry out a BNG survey. This includes mapping habitats, assessing condition and distinctiveness, and recording associated species.

Each habitat type receives a biodiversity unit score based on its size, quality, and rarity. This baseline score is then used to calculate the biodiversity uplift needed to meet planning requirements.

Can BNG Survey Recommendations Include Both On-Site and Off-Site Measures?

A BNG survey can identify measures that are delivered entirely on-site or combined with off-site biodiversity units to achieve compliance.

Hybrid approaches are often used when space or design limitations make it difficult to meet biodiversity targets within the development site alone.

How Do BNG Survey Reports Meet Local Planning Authority Standards?

We prepare BNG survey reports to meet both DEFRA guidelines and local planning authority criteria. This includes accurate habitat maps, biodiversity metric calculations, and detailed management schedules.

By aligning survey recommendations with local ecological priorities, such as enhancing wildlife corridors or restoring priority habitats, we help secure smoother planning approvals.

What’s the Process for Completing and Submitting a BNG Survey?

The BNG survey process begins with an initial consultation to understand the development scope and site characteristics. Our team then conducts the survey, calculates the biodiversity units, and proposes enhancement measures.

We compile all required documentation, including metric results and implementation plans, for submission with the planning application, ensuring the survey fully addresses statutory and practical requirements.

What Strategies Are Used to Achieve the 10% Biodiversity Requirement Identified in a BNG Survey?

Typical strategies identified through a BNG survey include:

• Enhancing existing habitats – Improved management of grassland, woodland, and wetland areas.
• Creating new habitats – Establishing wildflower meadows, ponds, wetlands, or native woodland.
• Green infrastructure – Adding green roofs, living walls, and urban planting.
• Wildlife corridors – Connecting fragmented habitats to encourage species movement.
• Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) – Integrating water management with ecological enhancement.
• Invasive species removal – Eradicating non-native species to restore natural habitats.

Do BNG Survey Specialists Provide Ongoing Monitoring and Reporting?

Following the completion of BNG survey measures, ongoing monitoring is essential to verify that biodiversity targets are achieved and maintained, typically for a minimum of 30 years under the Environment Act.

We provide scheduled inspections, compliance reporting, and habitat condition checks to ensure gains remain on track.

Contact BNG Survey for expert support in delivering and maintaining biodiversity improvements.

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