I had previously assumed that off-site solutions did not provide the same benefits, because I couldn’t see it on a plan. Having learnt more about them in recent weeks, I have found that off-site BNG can still deliver some incredible wider benefits worth shouting about.
Beyond the Binary: Realising the Full Potential of Off-Site Biodiversity Net Gain
10 Sep 24
As Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) has becomes a mandatory part of the planning process, one guiding principle has emerged: on-site biodiversity enhancements are the favoured outcome. The emphasis, as outlined in government guidance, is to ensure that development delivers direct improvements to local biodiversity. While the preference for on-site BNG is both clear and important, the reality is that we must also accept that on-site solutions will not always be possible or sufficient.
I had previously assumed that off-site solutions did not provide the same benefits, because I couldn’t see it on a plan. Having learnt more about them in recent weeks, I have found that off-site BNG can still deliver some incredible wider benefits worth shouting about.
On-site BNG improvements are the Government’s priority for good reason. At the same time, when off-site improvements are necessary – and contrary to some recent press coverage, they will become increasingly common – we should celebrate the benefits they can provide.
Off-site BNG offers the opportunity for gains that on-site enhancements often can’t match. When off-site BNG is done well, it facilitates the creation of habitats that align with the Lawton Principle of being ‘bigger, better, and more connected,’ providing conditions for species to thrive than many on-site enhancements.
A good example of this is The Ferals in Dorset, where a 250-acre site is being converting from an intensive arable farm to a wildlife haven through the use of BNG credits. This shows how off-site BNG can turn large tracts of land into truly diverse ecosystems that support not only a myriad of wildlife but also new public spaces for communities. We’ve seen other projects like Knepp Estate in Sussex or Wild Ken Hill in Norfolk form part of a rewilding approach to traditional farming locations that can provide a variety in our countryside and significant biodiversity gains.
One of the key benefits of off-site BNG is the scale at which it operates. In addition to supporting more resilient ecosystems, the larger scale increases the likelihood of aligning with local authority nature recovery strategies. Furthermore, large off-site areas can provide public access to significant spaces and opportunities for recreation and education that cannot be accommodated within a development site. Managing these areas at scale can also be more efficient, with the potential for more sustainable long-term outcomes.
As BNG beds down into the planning process becomes more familiar with BNG, it’s important to embrace the inevitability of off-site solutions. Rather than viewing off-site BNG as a last resort, it should be recognised as a valuable tool that can deliver unique benefits. On-site BNG is fantastic when it works well and can provide a range of habitats close to or within urban areas, but off-site BNG provides an important component in the wider objectives of rewilding our countryside and can offer something really special.