Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
Nene Park Trust helps developers meet Biodiversity Net Gain requirements by creating and enhancing habitats across its 1,200-hectare estate. From woodlands and wetlands to grasslands and hedgerows, our projects support wildlife, enrich biodiversity and benefit the local community.
What is BNG?
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a new system of regulations whereby proposed building developments seeking planning permission now have to make clear provisions for the replacement of any biodiversity loss they cause.
First introduced in February 2024, this is an important new regulation that stems from the 2021 Environment Act, and it aims to halt and reverse the negative impacts of human development on the biodiversity (the range of species and habitats) found across England.
The changes made now mean that most planning applications have to identify and quantify the existing biodiversity interest on the site being developed, and include in their application, measures to deliver the equivalent volume of biodiversity, plus an extra 10%.
Some developments are able to sustain and deliver the necessary biodiversity interest (expressed as BNG Units) within their application site. Others will not have that space or capacity on-site, so have to provide the compensatory habitat at an appropriate off-site location.
How can Nene Park Trust help?
The Trust owns and manages an estate of over 1,200 hectares with a range of existing habitats from arable amenity grassland, to open water and marshy areas, through to various grasslands, woodlands, scrub and arable land.
Some of these areas have been identified as having potential for biodiversity enhancements – and in doing so, provide BNG Units. Our future plans include the enhancement and uplift of existing grassland, woodland and wetland habitats alongside restoration and creation of new hedgerows.
In addition we have capacity to create blocks of new habitat areas on ex-arable land, including medium and high quality grassland, tall herb and ruderal vegetation, scrub, woodland and hedgerows alongside open water and wetland habitats.
Long term care and vision
Since its creation in 1988, Nene Park Trust has been looking after the land we manage for the benefit of both people who visit us for recreational use, and for the wildlife that lives in and around the city. As a charity involved in conservation and positive management of land, we have experience of delivering a range of habitat creation and improvement projects over the past 40 years. This experience, along with a skilled and knowledgeable staff team means the Trust is ideally placed to implement and provide BNG habitat areas.
Interested? Get in touch!
If you are involved in the planning process for a development in Peterborough and the surrounding areas, whether it be commercial, residential or for infrastructure, and have a need for off-site BNG Unit provision, please contact our Director of Landscape & Conservation to discuss your needs.
Recent Project: Heron Meadow
Heron Meadow is a great example of a successful floodplain meadow restoration, delivering significant habitat improvements and the potential for future BNG units. Completed in 2018–19, the project reflects the Trust’s long experience in habitat enhancement.
Once traditionally grazed riverside meadows, the site’s condition declined following gravel extraction in the 1970s. Restoration work included removing invasive scrub, improving the ditch system and drainage, reseeding with green hay from local donor sites, installing new fencing, and introducing careful grazing management.
Today, Heron Meadow has been transformed into a species-rich floodplain grassland, supporting greater biodiversity and improved resilience to flooding.
