BNG, a force for good

Dominic Woodfield has been at the heart of the debate around Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for more than a decade. With over 30 years of experience in professional ecological consultancy, he’s never been afraid to question the system: from the limits of simplified metrics to measure biodiversity, to warning against the risk of a “licence to trash” high-value habitats and highlighting how easily the process could be gamed.

In 2022, Dominic joined us at Biofarm as a non-executive director and Head of Ecology. Not as a change of course, but for pragmatism and purpose. His view aligns with our own: BNG stands a genuine chance of slowing down the cycle of biodiversity decline in England, if it’s done properly.

In this piece, we summarise the main points from his guest commentary for conservationist Mark Avery. A call for everyone in land-use and planning to grasp the opportunity that BNG offers, and raise the bar on how it’s delivered.

The biggest risk for BNG is bad practice

BNG doesn’t fail because of the principle, but it risks failing when applied badly. Much of Dominic’s concern lies in the misuse of the system. If that becomes the norm, BNG will fail to deliver on its promise.

In his consultancy work, Dominic is often asked to independently review BNG assessments carried out by others. He estimates that fewer than 1 in 10 assessments reviewed stand up as accurate or fit for purpose. Too often, assessments lean overly far in favour of development: undervaluing sites or overstating the likely success of proposed habitat compensation. In many cases, it’s both.

Not only does this put biodiversity at risk, but this can mean development projects can face objections and delays. And if errors are not caught, both developers and ecologists could face reputational damage.

Making the best of BNG: Dominic’s six point plan

It would be easy to pin the blame on the BNG system itself, but BNG can be a real force for good. Done well, it can deliver a step change in outcomes from development.

1. Resourcing LPAs properly

   Local Planning Authorities need skilled ecological staff and funding to review BNG assessments. Without it, gaming the system goes unchecked. If the central government won’t provide it, he recommends that a levy on application fees could help cover the cost.

2. Site visits by hands-on ecologists
   BNG assessments should only be carried out by professionals who have visited the site and can accurately classify habitats. Desk-based estimates based on third-party data won’t cut it.

3. Preventing baseline manipulation
   The metric already sets out rules to prevent land from being deliberately run down before assessment to make later gains look bigger. But those rules only matter if they are enforceable, and enforced.

4. Setting realistic delivery timescales
   Dominic suggests that the metric needs to be revised to account for more realistic timescales for the delivery of certain high-value habitats. The metric’s current assumptions are out of step with the science.

5. Challenging over-ambition
   Proposals that promise ecological outcomes with no clear precedent should be questioned. If it’s not scientifically credible, it shouldn’t carry weight in planning.

6. Accounting for species interest
   The metric needs to recognise that some “low value” habitats can support important species. A simple multiplier could help prevent biodiversity loss being hidden on paper.

These six points are only a starting place, but the direction is clear. BNG has the potential to reshape how development and nature interact. Whether it delivers meaningful gains depends on the rigour of the system, the professionalism of those applying it and the willingness to challenge poor practice. 

Let’s embrace BNG as a force for good

That’s what makes Biofarm stand apart. We don’t cut corners or chase quick wins. Every unit we deliver is grounded in science, backed by the right safeguards and managed for the long term. 

Our experts, like Dominic, don’t just work within the system, they help improve it. We play an active role in shaping best practice as BNG legislation evolves. We’re helping ensure BNG delivers what it set out to achieve, and works fairly for all involved. 

Let’s raise the standard together. Get in touch to see how we can deliver BNG that delivers real outcomes. For nature, for landowners and for development.