BNG for Landowners
Helping landowners unlock new income streams by transforming land into off-site BNG units
01 What We Offer
Natural Capital Partners helps landowners generate income by transforming underused or low-productivity land into legally compliant, high-value BNG units. This is achieved by habitat creation or enhancement. Backed by transparent pricing and expert ecological guidance, our national team has delivered successful Habitat Banks and Bespoke BNG Sites across England.
Habitat Banks (Pre-Created Units)
Bespoke Sites (Developer-Specific Units)
Many landowners prefer a hybrid approach—agreeing bespoke units for immediate sale and establishing additional Habitat Banks for future revenue opportunities.
Depending on the reward model chosen, we can cover all the costs from the initial assessments and 30-year Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans to the Conservation Covenants and sale of the units.
02 Our Simple Process
From registration to restoration — a step-by-step path to unlocking the ecological and financial potential of your land.
01
Register Your Land
Submit a simple form for a no-obligation quote to establish a Habitat Bank or Bespoke BNG site.
02
On-site Assessment
Our multidisciplinary team visits your site to collect extensive in-depth data to help us utilise and work with your land to meet your ecological and financial goals.
03
Project Design & Legal Structure
We design a bespoke Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan, secure necessary legal agreements, and prepare your land for habitat creation and/or enhancement.
04
Habitat Creation & Management
Our expert teams and trusted partners manage every aspect of habitat delivery, long-term ecological management, and ongoing monitoring.
03 The BNG Process
We cover the entire BNG process from start to finish.
04 Why Choose Us
We deliver expert-led, commercially focused BNG services for landowners. Our approach combines technical depth with practical delivery, ensuring you meet your ecological and financial goals. Here are six reasons to partner with Natural Capital Partners:
01
Unmatched Natural Capital Expertise
Our team includes specialists in BNG regulation, environmental & planning law, ecology, arbology, hydrology, hydrogeology, natural capital taxation, environmental insurance, corporate finance, and data modelling. This multi-disciplinary knowledge allows us to navigate complex projects, optimise site potential, and ensure all legal, ecological, and financial aspects are managed to the highest standard.
02
All-in-One Environmental Solutions
We integrate BNG with other natural capital revenue streams for landowners. Our services include • Woodland, Peatland and Soil Carbon Credits • Nutrient Credits • Water Credits • See our additional natural capital services page for more. Whether you're focused on BNG or wider environmental markets, we help you generate lasting returns from your land.
03
Strategies for Maximum Impact
We never offer one-size-fits-all solutions. Every piece of land and every landowner is unique. Our project starts with a detailed assessment of your land, goals, and constraints. Our team tailors a strategy that aligns with ecological, financial, and regulatory realities, ensuring your land delivers maximum value over time.
04
Full-Service, Zero-Burden Delivery
We handle every aspect of project delivery so you don’t have to — from legal structuring and Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans to implementation, management and monitoring. We also use our established developer relationships to place your units efficiently, giving you access to planning-led demand pipelines and promotion across our BNG buyer network. Optional confidentiality is available for sensitive landholdings.
05
Guaranteed Legal Compliance
All units are secured through binding 30-year agreements using Section 106 or Conservation Covenants. Our in-house legal team works directly with Local Planning Authorities and Responsible Bodies to expedite approval. No intermediaries. No delays. Just trusted, compliant outcomes.
06
Maximise Profit, Not Just Revenue
We go beyond traditional models to optimise profitability. Our expert insights, proprietary software, site analysis tools, and satellite monitoring reduce costs. We offer reserve fund with wealth managers such as Goldman Sachs and bespoke insurance solutions to reduce escrow requirements (sometimes equal to a third of total revenues) while protecting against inflation. Plus, our developer network ensures your units reach real, local demand where your units are most marketable.
05 FAQs
What is BNG?
BNG is a legal requirement under the Environment Act 2021. It means all new developments in England must leave biodiversity in a measurably better state—at least 10% better—than before development. This uplift must be maintained for at least 30 years.
What are BNG units?
BNG units are a measurable way of capturing the gains in biodiversity from habitat improvements.
What is a Habitat Bank?
An area of land where new habitats, such as meadows, woodlands, hedgerows, and ponds, are created and managed long‑term to generate biodiversity gains. These gains are quantified into BNG units for sale to developers. These sites are created in advance of developer demand, with units then being sold to developers as required.
What is a Bespoke BNG site?
An area of land where new habitats, such as meadows, woodlands, hedgerows, and ponds, are created and managed long‑term to generate biodiversity gains. These gains are quantified into BNG units for sale to developers. These sites are created to match existing developer demand, with units being reserved by developers upfront.
What monitoring and reporting obligations apply during the 30‑year BNG commitment?
Landowners are responsible for ongoing biodiversity monitoring throughout the 30‑year term. However, Natural Capital Partners provides full support, including professional ecological services to manage all necessary reporting and submissions to Local Planning Authorities or Responsible Bodies, significantly reducing your administrative burden.
How soon can I expect to receive income from BNG units?
Typically, income from BNG can start flowing within 6–9 months after the initial agreement and registration. Engaging Natural Capital Partners early allows for proactive baseline surveys, planning, and preparation, accelerating your return on investment.
What tax implications should I consider when entering a BNG agreement?
BNG arrangements may impact Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax, and Income Tax liabilities. Natural Capital Partners recommends early consultation with our in-house tax specialist to maximise your financial and tax position.
What is a Conservation Covenant, and how does it safeguard my land?
A Conservation Covenant is a legally binding agreement between a landowner and an approved Responsible Body. It specifies what each party must do—or avoid—to protect and enhance the land for the public good, guaranteeing long‑term conservation benefits.
Are there minimum or maximum size requirements?
While our preference is for land parcels in England over 25 acres (10 hectares), we may consider smaller sites or those outside England in future phases of our habitat creation programme. So, please still register your BNG interest using our form.
Is my land suitable for BNG?
Ideal sites for BNG are often those with limited ecological or agricultural productivity, including intensively farmed grasslands, wetlands, meadows, or land that is underutilised or geographically isolated. Natural Capital Partners employs specialised expertise, comprehensive data analysis, and proprietary software to thoroughly evaluate and confirm the suitability of your land for BNG.
How do landowners participate in the BNG marketplace, and what benefits can they realise?
Landowners can generate income by creating or enhancing habitats and selling BNG units to developers. These can be tailored to individual developments or set up as habitat banks to meet future demand. All habitats must be maintained under a legal agreement for a minimum of 30 years, which includes periodic monitoring and reporting obligations.
How is biodiversity gain quantified and turned into income?
The Statutory Biodiversity Metric, a DEFRA‑approved tool, is used to quantify biodiversity improvements. BNG generated on your land can be marketed and sold to developers seeking off‑site BNG units. Natural Capital Partners provides a full-suite of experts to accurately assess, calculate, and maximise your BNG yield and subsequent income.
Can existing activities such as livestock grazing, hobby farming, or golfing continue on a BNG site?
a. Farms Yes—strategically managed livestock grazing can positively support habitat creation and maintenance. By choosing suitable livestock breeds and grazing schedules, biodiversity can thrive. We’ll guide you in developing the most effective grazing strategy tailored to your farming methods.
b. Estates Yes, often hobby farming activities such as grazing or hay‑cutting remain compatible with BNG. Our team at Natural Capital Partners develop tailored Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans ensuring your agricultural activities align with biodiversity goals, maximising both ecological and economic outcomes.
c. Golf CoursesYes, absolutely! We only create BNG units off‑course so there is absolutely no impact on the playing areas of the course.
Can BNG be combined or ‘stacked’ with other environmental schemes such as carbon or nutrient initiatives?
Yes, BNG integrates effectively with other environmental strategies like Nutrient Neutrality schemes and Carbon Credits. Our team at Natural Capital Partners provide expert guidance to ensure seamless compatibility, enhancing overall estate sustainability and revenue potential.
Do Natural Capital Partners offer ongoing ecological and management support for BNG projects?
Yes, we work with our partners to offer implementation, ongoing management and monitoring.