At BNG Assessment, we assist developers, planners, and landowners in Herefordshire and across the UK with meeting the environmental requirements linked to sustainable development.

With the UK Environment Act mandating measurable biodiversity improvements, our team of experienced ecologists ensures your project meets the statutory target, commonly a 10% gain, while meeting local planning authority expectations.

From baseline surveys to detailed enhancement plans, we combine ecological precision with a practical, development-focused approach that keeps your project compliant and environmentally beneficial.

Why Is a BNG Assessment Important for Developments in Herefordshire?

A BNG Assessment in Herefordshire ensures that new developments leave the natural environment in a measurably better condition than before construction begins.

This requirement, now embedded in national policy, means most developments must demonstrate compliance to secure planning consent. In practice, a BNG Assessment provides opportunities to restore degraded habitats, introduce diverse planting schemes, and contribute to the long-term resilience of local ecosystems.

Which Types of Projects Across Herefordshire Must Comply With BNG Assessment Requirements?

BNG Assessment obligations in Herefordshire apply to a wide range of projects, including:

• Residential developments – From small housing schemes to large estates, particularly on greenfield or ecologically sensitive sites.
• Commercial builds – Offices, retail units, warehouses, and mixed-use schemes.
• Infrastructure projects – Roads, rail links, bridges, and utilities affecting habitats or wildlife corridors.
• Major refurbishments – Large-scale renovations or redevelopments with ecological implications.
• Agricultural projects – Land-use changes, farm infrastructure, and drainage works.
• Renewable energy installations – Solar farms, wind farms, and related infrastructure.
• Industrial expansions – Facility construction or site enlargement near sensitive habitats.

How Much Does a BNG Assessment Cost in or Around Herefordshire?

The cost of a BNG Assessment in Herefordshire generally ranges from £5,000 to over £50,000, depending on the site’s current biodiversity value, the scale of improvements required, and whether measures are implemented on-site or off-site.

Key cost drivers include the type of habitat creation or restoration, landscaping complexity, the need for specialist ecological monitoring, and long-term management commitments.

Contact BNG Assessment in Herefordshire to get tailored pricing for your site.

How Do Ecologists in Herefordshire Carry Out a BNG Assessment?

Our ecologists in Herefordshire undertake a detailed baseline BNG assessment using the DEFRA Biodiversity Metric. This process involves mapping existing habitats, assessing their condition, and recording species presence.

Each habitat is scored for size, quality, and distinctiveness, creating a baseline measurement. This figure determines the scale of enhancement measures needed to meet compliance requirements. Accurate data collection is critical, as it directly influences project design and implementation.

Can a BNG Assessment Include Both On-Site and Off-Site Measures?

BNG assessments in Herefordshire can be fulfilled entirely on-site through habitat enhancement or creation, or partly/completely off-site by securing biodiversity units elsewhere.

Many developments adopt a mixed strategy, implementing certain measures on-site while using off-site credits to achieve full compliance, especially when space or design constraints limit on-site options.

How Do BNG Assessment Plans in Herefordshire Align With Local Authority Requirements?

We prepare BNG assessment plans in Herefordshire to align with DEFRA standards and local planning authority criteria. This includes providing clear habitat maps, biodiversity metric calculations, and management schedules.

By aligning our plans with local priorities, such as strengthening wildlife corridors or supporting priority species, we help streamline planning approvals.

What’s the Process for Completing and Submitting a BNG Assessment in Herefordshire?

The BNG assessment process begins with an initial consultation to understand site conditions and project objectives. Our ecologists then complete the baseline survey and biodiversity metric scoring.

We design enhancement strategies, develop a phased delivery plan, and prepare all required documentation for submission with the planning application. Coordination with planning officers ensures the proposals meet both statutory and practical requirements.

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

Common approaches to delivering the 10% uplift in Herefordshire through a BNG assessment include:

• Enhancing existing habitats – Improved management of grassland, woodland, and wetlands.
• Creating new habitats – Establishing wildflower meadows, ponds, and native woodland.
• Green infrastructure – Installing green roofs, living walls, and other urban planting.
• Wildlife corridors – Connecting fragmented habitats to support species movement.
• Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) – Water management features that also serve ecological purposes.
• Invasive species removal – Eradicating non-native species to restore native biodiversity.

Do BNG Assessment Specialists in Herefordshire Offer Ongoing Monitoring and Reporting?

Once BNG measures are implemented, long-term monitoring in Herefordshire is required to demonstrate that gains are achieved and maintained, typically over a 30-year period under the Environment Act.

We offer scheduled inspections, compliance reviews, and formal reporting to meet planning conditions and ensure habitats continue to deliver intended ecological benefits.

Contact BNG Assessment for a consultation on maintaining compliance and securing lasting biodiversity gains.

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