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Bee used to illustrate wildlife recovery

Biodiversity Gain

We have dedicated areas within the Ecological Landscape Plan for Biodiversity Net Gain off-site provision, so if you need to purchase BNG Units now or in the future please contact us

Located in Essex we are ideally placed for developments in 12 LPAs and 7 NCAs stretching from Reading to Norwich, covering over 13,000 km2 of East Anglia.

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in England is an approach aimed at enhancing natural ecosystems. From 12th February 2024 it became law that new developments result in at least a 10% measured increase in biodiversity, ensuring that the natural environment thrives alongside human expansion.


The Environment and Town and Country Planning Acts demand that any biodiversity lost due to construction or development must be surpassed by a measurable improvement, providing a net gain overall.


BNG gain can, once ecological enhancements have been maximised on the development site itself, be delivered by working with responsible off-site providers who create and maintain the required habitat for at least 30 years.


We work with such developers to maximise the gain through suitable areas within our ecological landscape plan for nature recovery.

As one of only 5 national Biodiversity Net Gain Credits pilot sites we are at the forefront of this ground-breaking legislation to ensure developments contribute towards biodiversity gain.


In 2022 we embarked on an ambitious 50+ year programme of habitat creation of a large area of biodiversity-focused land management change. Working with Natural England allows us to generate around 500 high quality BNG units, suitable for use in both mandatory and voluntary markets.


We are keen to speak to developers and others wishing to secure long-lasting, high quality, innovative biodiversity impact.

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Local Planning Authorities &

National Character Areas for BNG

Our project areas are situated within:

The BNG metric recognises proximity to development sites through a 'Spatial Risk Multiplier'. The closer the offset site is to the development, the fewer BNG units are required.

  • Offsite offsets within the same LPA are worth 1.0 (i.e. you'll need the same number of units as if you were mitigating on-site)
  • Offsite units sourced within LPAs or NCAs adjacent to the development site become worth 0.75 (so you need an extra 25% of units to mitigate on-site losses)
  • Offsite units sourced further afield are only worth 0.5 (meaning you'll need 2 units for every one lost on-site).
Download BNG details Enquire about BNG

Voluntary Biodiversity & ESG

As our work delivers far more than just mandatory BNG units we are keen to work with organisations from all sectors who have an interest in supporting us, whilst also delivering on their own aspirations to leave the world a better place.

We are therefore delighted to be working with the market-leading environmental investment team at Great Yellow. Through them we can help your organisation build and deliver a bespoke package of environmental, carbon, engagement and social impact bundles.


Whether it's entirely voluntary, in support of TCFD and TNFD or demonstrating your commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals we can help.


Being UK based we are accessible, and highly regulated, so you can be confident we are delivering what we promise, backed up by extensive data and reporting. We can offer High Integrity offsetting in action.

Enquire about ESG

In the Essex uplands, close to the towns of Haverhill, Saffron Walden and Braintree the estate exists as an oasis containing ancient woodland, wetland areas and sensitive agriculture.


Equidistant from Cambridge, Colchester and Chelmsford, and within easy reach of Stansted Airport, the M11, A14 and A120 we are within one of the key growth and infrastructure development areas of the county, including the wider impact zone of East-West Rail and OxCam Arc.


The estate has been working for the environment for many years, with government funded Countryside Stewardship schemes in place for over 30 years. We have retained and planted hedges, planted new woodland and helped others to plant woodland at the same time (we ran a native tree nursery for over 30 years).


Having worked with Atkins since 2018 we understand the needs of developers, infrastructure projects and corporates so can tailor solutions to fit a diverse set of corporate needs. As the landowner and project deliverer we build direct relationships, meaning we can be responsive, pragmatic and accountable.

We have BNG units available immediately from our habitat bank, with two additional phases over the next 24 months generating a total of over 500 BNUs. Our project is in line with the Essex Climate Action Commissions’ Land Use and Green Infrastructure Recommendations, Braintree District Council’s Climate Change Strategy and Biodiversity Action Plan. All work is in line with the NPPF, 25 Year Environment Plan, Green Finance Strategy and Nature Markets Framework.

We have led the application of nature-based approaches to climate and biodiversity recovery by reintroducing beavers, in a project that won the national CIEEM Best Practice – Small Scale Nature Conservation Award in 2022.

Spains Hall Estate won the CIEEM 2022 Best Practice – Small Scale Nature Conservation Award

BNG is a key component, but our model goes well beyond offsetting, with opportunities for wider voluntary Environmental and Social Impact, risk reduction, water and climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture. 


Our project is in line with the Essex Climate Action Commissions’ Land Use and Green Infrastructure Recommendations, Braintree District Council’s Climate Change Strategy and Biodiversity Action Plan. All work is in line with the NPPF, 25 Year Environment Plan, Green Finance Strategy and Nature Markets Framework.

  • Cube with sections used to illustrate how parts of the landscape and ecosystem work together to form a functioning whole through the Natural Capital approach
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