As we kick off 2025, the evolution of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) will continue to shape the landscape of nature restoration in the UK. Here’s what we expect to see in the coming year:

🔒 Stricter Onsite BNG Rules
As the demand for environmental accountability grows, we anticipate tighter regulations for onsite BNG, bringing them inline with those of the off-site market. Developers can expect greater oversight and will face more rigorous expectations to deliver measurable biodiversity improvements.

Sebastian Ellis is joining us an experienced ecologist with a passion for helping people create lasting benefits for nature. With over five years’ experience in environmental consulting, he has worked on projects of all sizes, from small housing developments to major infrastructure schemes.

His extensive knowledge around Biodiversity Net Gain will allow him to support developers to meet requirements while delivering meaningful environmental change…

As Biofarm's growth continues at pace, we are delighted to welcome Adam Djanogly to the team, as Strategic Advisor to the Board.

Adam's vast experience of growth acceleration and business optimisation will support Biofarm to deliver measurable environmental restoration at scale and will enhance our market leading suite of services.

We are thrilled to have you with us on this exciting journey, Adam!

How long do you think it takes to get a S106 agreed to secure BNG units? 6 months? 2 years? Guess again..

Many stakeholders within the industry have been concerned about the timeframes to agree a S106 to secure biodiversity gain sites, and how this could negatively impact planning applications, where off-site BNG units need to be delivered, pre-commencement.

We’re thrilled to share that we have a new habitat bank opening in the South Hams LPA, strategically located to deliver BNG units across Devon!

The site will generate 138 off-site Habitat Units available for developers to reserve and purchase immediately, helping to fulfill BNG planning requirements.

The habitat bank is within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and lies directly on the border of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and rich ancient woodland.

Our next habitat bank is set to open in the Somerset LPA, strategically located to deliver BNG units throughout the Somerset Levels and up to Bristol.

The site will generate 133 off-site Habitat Units available for developers to reserve and purchase immediately, helping to fulfill BNG planning requirements.

Introducing Episode 5 of our 5-part series!

In this instalment, we explore the remarkable journey towards habitat restoration and species recovery.

Highlights from the episode include:

✅ The impact of collaborative efforts in restoring ecosystems and biodiversity.

We are thrilled to share some fantastic feedback we received recently about our work. Renat Heuberger, Co-Founder and Senior Adviser of South Pole, had this to say about our approach to navigating the Biodiversity Net Gain legislation.

At Biofarm, we are deeply committed to driving positive environmental change while assisting our clients in meeting regulatory requirements. This endorsement from Renat further validates our dedication to delivering exceptional service and impactful solutions.

Episode 4 of our series is now live, shedding light on the dynamic synergy between rewilding and Biodiversity Net Gain. At Sleight Farm, we're breaking down barriers and fostering wildlife corridors, creating the perfect environment for nature to thrive.

Witness how our rewilding efforts, combined with Biodiversity Net Gain principles, are reshaping landscapes and revitalising ecosystems. Stay tuned as we explore how these strategies intersect to create beneficial outcomes for all stakeholders involved.

Excited to share the third instalment of our five-part video series!

In this episode we explore the transformative journey our nation has undergone in reshaping our connection with the natural world. From unraveling the concept of biodiversity net gain to discussing the basics of biodiversity loss, we highlight the importance of nature restoration and experiential learning. At Biofarm, we offer landowners a unique opportunity to diversify income while contributing to a greener, more sustainable future.

We are delighted to announce the commencement of mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain! To commemorate this significant milestone, we are excited to unveil Episode 2 of our 5-part series: "𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘁 𝗚𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺" In this instalment, we delve into the concept of Biodiversity Net Gain – a game-changer in responsible development. Discover how Biofarm, plays a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future.

Explore the nuances of Biodiversity Net Gain in a recent blog by Dominic Woodfield, Managing Director of Bioscan and Head of Ecology at Biofarm, on Mark Avery's platform. Dominic delves into the challenges and opportunities surrounding BNG, offering valuable insights.

In the blog, Dominic emphasises the need for vigilance and professionalism in implementing BNG, sharing a practical six-point plan to maximise its positive impact.

After some hiccups, no small amount of confusion, some hand-wringing and the odd nudge, the formal Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) regime finally becomes operational statute on the 12th February 2024. BNG was introduced as part of the Environment Act 2021, as a way for development and land-use planning in England to play its part in arresting and reversing biodiversity decline, and securing the Government’s objectives to put nature on a recovery trajectory.

We're excited to share the first instalment of our five video series showcasing our commitment to reversing environmental degradation and biodiversity loss.

In this episode, we delve into the heart of rewilding and its diverse approaches in restoring and protecting our natural environment. Whether it's letting nature take its course or a more targeted intervention, our mission remains steadfast.

We are pleased to confirm that biodiversity net gain will go live on 12 February 2024. From this date major development (unless otherwise exempt) will have to deliver net gains for biodiversity leading to positive outcomes for nature, better places for local communities and more consistent and transparent requirements for developers.

At Biofarm, we're on a mission to reverse decades of environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and the impacts of climate change. Our primary focus is to help clients meet the requirements for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) through rewilding, and we're excited to share our latest video that showcases our commitment to this cause.

Rewilding encompasses a wide range of actions aimed at restoring and protecting the natural environment. We firmly believe that, in some cases, the best approach is to let nature take its course, allowing natural ecosystem processes to recover, while in other instances, a more targeted intervention may be necessary.

Today's BBC report suggests the Government is poised to announce a delay in implementing mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain laws in England. Our Head of Ecology, Dominic Woodfield, offers his views on this prospect below, emphasising that BNG transcends mere policy; it is an essential step in securing our planet's future, and good for our economy. Delve into Dominic's perspective by reading his thought-provoking viewpoint.

Explore the thought-provoking perspectives of our Head of Ecology, Dominic Woodfield, as he delves into the contentious issue of Nutrient Neutrality and its implications for housing development and environmental conservation. In this article, Dominic examines the debate surrounding this topic, highlighting its impact on the housing sector and environmental standards.

As the November deadline for Biodiversity Net Gain implementation looms large, the findings of this recent Royal Town Planning Institute survey shed light on the challenges that planners, particularly in the public sector, are facing in adapting to these new regulations. With a significant number of planners uncertain about meeting the deadline and a clear need for additional resources and support, the role of organisations like Biofarm becomes increasingly crucial to ensuring the successful integration of BNG practices into planning and development processes.

The Government has announced it will be weakening environmental standards by removing requirements for housing in protected areas to be nutrient neutral in order to meet housebuilding targets. The revised solution, investing more into Natural England’s Nutrient Mitigation Scheme, will see the financial responsibility for offsetting damage to ecosystems moved from the developer to the taxpayer.