Collington Winter Environmental
Biodiversity Net Gain & Habitat Banking
Chartered ecologists delivering BNG assessments, statutory metric calculations and habitat bank offsetting for developers and landowners throughout England.
Our Biodiversity Net Gain Services
Biodiversity Net Gain Guidance
Our team provide guidance throughout the planning system process, from the initial land purchase agreements to monitoring assessments.
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Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments
Providing Biodiversity Net Gain assessments within a development's proposal will soon become essential in order to receive the appropriate planning permission.
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Biodiversity Net Gain Mitigation
Our ecologists have the experience to recommend any necessary mitigation methods you may require in order to reach biodiversity net gain requirements.
Learn moreAbout Collington Winter
Collington Winter Environmental was founded with a belief in a pragmatic approach to development. Meeting the needs of developers, whilst ensuring positive outcomes for wildlife.
We provide ecology and landscape architecture services for a holistic and innovative approach to development. We are fast paced problem solvers, working with clients to find solutions where others can't.
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Our Experience
A Landscape Architecture and Ecology consultancy with a depth of experience in the creation, restoration, management and conservation of landscape and habitat — from small urban parks, private gardens and new country houses to agricultural, commercial and equestrian landscapes and historic country estates.
Our work is rooted in a thorough understanding of the importance and uniqueness of place. We work closely with our clients to create innovative, sustainable and inspirational landscapes.
What Our Clients Say
5.0 on Google Reviews
“We have used Collington Winter many times as they provide us with the quick, high-quality service we need. Rhiannon and the team are a delight to work with.”
“I'd certainly recommend Collington Winters. They have supported us on a number of projects and consistently provide an excellent service.”
“Fantastic services provided by the team at Collington Winter for our projects in the UK.”
“I had a great experience with Collington Winter Environmental. The team are friendly and always go above and beyond.”
“The guys at Collington Winter were fantastic. Prompt, polite, communicative and very clear in their report both onsite and after. I was really impressed with their honesty and integrity.”
Biodiversity Net Gain Guides
What is Biodiversity Net Gain? A Plain-English Guide
What is biodiversity net gain BNG? Biodiversity net gain is a way of making sure that new development leaves the natural environment in a measurably better state than it …
Habitat Banking: Selling Biodiversity Units from Your Land
Habitat banking: selling biodiversity units from your land Habitat banking means creating or enhancing habitats so that the resulting biodiversity gains can be allocated …
Biodiversity Metric Calculations for Planning Applications
Biodiversity metric calculations for planning applications Biodiversity metric calculations translate mapped habitats and proposed changes into a structured measure of bi…
Biodiversity Gain Plan: Content, Submission and Approval
Prepare a biodiversity gain plan that connects your statutory metric, habitat proposals, off-site allocations and long-term management.
BNG Consultant: Biodiversity Net Gain Consultants in England
Practical BNG consultancy, from habitat surveys and metric calculations to deliverable biodiversity gain plans for development in England.
BNG Exemptions: Does Biodiversity Net Gain Apply?
Understand statutory BNG exemptions, transitional permissions and the evidence needed to explain whether your development is within scope.
BNG Planning: Requirements for Development in England
Understand BNG for planning applications, validation evidence, small sites and the biodiversity gain condition before work starts.
BNG Units: Buying and Using Biodiversity Units
Understand biodiversity units, off-site purchases, habitat banks and the difference between commercial units and statutory credits.
Small Sites Metric: BNG for Small Sites Explained
Who can use the simplified small sites metric, what it involves and when a full statutory metric is needed instead.
Biodiversity Net Gain for Solar Farms and Renewable Energy
How solar farms, battery storage and other renewable energy schemes meet BNG and can generate surplus biodiversity units.
BNG for Housing and Residential Developments
Masterplanning, outline and phased applications and how housebuilders balance on-site gains with developable area.
BNG for Commercial, Industrial and Logistics Developments
Meeting BNG on warehouse, logistics and industrial sites where buildings and yards cover most of the land.
Areas We Cover
BNG assessments, metric calculations and habitat banking throughout England, from our base in Bolton. Popular areas include:
Biodiversity Net Gain explained: what developers need to know
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is the requirement, introduced by the Environment Act 2021, for most new development in England to leave nature in a measurably better state than before. Since February 2024 major developments, and since April 2024 small sites, must deliver at least a 10% increase in biodiversity value, measured using the statutory biodiversity metric and secured for a minimum of 30 years.
How BNG works in the planning process
Your BNG consultant starts with a habitat baseline survey, mapping every habitat on site using the UK Habitat Classification (UKHab) and recording its condition. These results feed into the biodiversity metric to calculate baseline habitat units, hedgerow units and watercourse units. The proposed scheme is then scored, and the difference shows whether the 10% net gain is achieved. The local planning authority checks this evidence at application stage, and after permission is granted a biodiversity gain plan must be approved before work starts.
The mitigation hierarchy and off-site units
Good BNG design follows the mitigation hierarchy: avoid harm to valuable habitats, minimise impacts, restore what is affected and only then compensate. Where on-site gains are not enough, developers can buy off-site biodiversity units from a registered habitat bank, secured by a conservation covenant or section 106 agreement. Statutory credits are a last resort and are deliberately priced high.
Why choose Collington Winter as your BNG consultant
Our Biodiversity Net Gain consultants are led by a Chartered Environmentalist with Natural England protected species licences. We provide habitat surveys, statutory and small sites metric calculations, BNG reports for planning, habitat management and monitoring plans, and habitat banking advice for landowners throughout England. Not sure whether your scheme needs BNG at all? Read our guide to BNG exemptions or contact us for a free initial discussion.
Biodiversity Net Gain FAQs
+What does a BNG consultant do?
A BNG consultant (Biodiversity Net Gain consultant) surveys the habitats on your site, calculates the baseline and post-development biodiversity units using the statutory biodiversity metric, advises on layout and landscaping to reach the mandatory 10% net gain, prepares the biodiversity gain plan and a 30-year habitat management and monitoring plan, and sources off-site biodiversity units if they are needed.
+Is Biodiversity Net Gain mandatory in England?
Yes. Under the Environment Act 2021, mandatory BNG has applied to major developments since 12 February 2024 and to small sites since 2 April 2024. Most planning applications in England must show at least a 10% increase in biodiversity value, with some exemptions such as householder applications and de minimis sites.
+When should I appoint a Biodiversity Net Gain consultant?
As early as possible, ideally before a site is bought or a layout is fixed. An early habitat baseline survey shows how many biodiversity units the site holds and lets the design team keep higher-value habitats, which is usually far cheaper than buying off-site units later.
+What is the statutory biodiversity metric?
The statutory biodiversity metric is the Defra tool used to measure biodiversity value in habitat units, hedgerow units and watercourse units. It scores each habitat by type, size, condition and strategic significance. Smaller sites may be able to use the simpler small sites metric.
+What if I can't reach 10% net gain on site?
Following the mitigation hierarchy, gains should be delivered on site first. Where that is not possible, you can buy off-site biodiversity units from a registered habitat bank. Statutory biodiversity credits from the government are a last resort. We can advise on and source suitable off-site units.
+Do you work outside the North West?
Yes. Collington Winter's Biodiversity Net Gain consultants work throughout England, supporting developers, housebuilders, architects, planning consultants and landowners on sites of every size.
+Can landowners earn money from Biodiversity Net Gain?
Yes. Landowners can create or enhance habitats, secure them for at least 30 years through a conservation covenant or section 106 agreement, register the site and sell the resulting biodiversity units to developers. This habitat banking can provide long-term farm income.
+What is a biodiversity gain plan?
A biodiversity gain plan is the document submitted to the local planning authority after planning permission is granted, which must be approved before development starts. It sets out the pre- and post-development biodiversity value, how the 10% gain will be achieved and how habitats will be managed.
Latest from the Blog
News and articles on ecology, habitat banking and biodiversity net gain.
Is Biodiversity Net Gain Mandatory? What Developers Need to Know
Nov 12, 2026
Is Biodiversity Net Gain mandatory in England? Yes: Biodiversity Net Gain is mandatory for most development within the English statutory planning framework, subject to ex…
How to Achieve Biodiversity Net Gain on Your Development
Nov 12, 2026
How to achieve Biodiversity Net Gain on your development Achieving Biodiversity Net Gain means designing, securing and delivering a measurable improvement in habitats, ra…
Biodiversity Net Gain 2024: Guidance on new rules
Feb 1, 2024
In 2024, Biodiversity Net Gain emerges as a leading force in the United Kingdom’s efforts toward environmental conservation and sustainable development. BNG represents an…
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