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Author: Wildscapes

The BNG Hub supports local authority with BNG offsetting explorations

Posted on by Wildscapes

BNG Hub supports local authority with habitat bank explorations..

We have been working with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) to conduct Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) baseline assessments of several sites across Rotherham and South Yorkshire. 7 different potential sites were put forward for the baseline assessments, totalling approximately 220 hectares. This represents a great opportunity for the authority to provide units for developers in the local area. Developers are obliged to enhance biodiversity on site, as part of their biodiversity net gain obligations – but where this isn’t possible they are able to buy units from registered Habitat Banks. RMBC would offer units for sale from these potential new habitat banks – and the purchase of the units provides the necessary funds for the creation and enhancement of specific habitats on these sites.


This move represents an evolution of the local authority’s role, both as the Local Planning Authority, and in the future, as a land owner who can supply BNG habitat units into the market for developers.


As well as surveys carried out by experienced ecologists, reports were also completed for each of the 7 sites, detailing the baseline survey results and also outlining how net gain can be achieved on site through habitat management works. A detailed Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP) has been produced for each site, which sets out how the habitat will be created and enhanced, and who is responsible for the maintenance, management and monitoring over a 30 year period.


We are excited to see how this develops across Rotherham and South Yorkshire for these 7 sites – if this resonates with you either as a landowner or a developer, and you need some support around Biodiversity Net Gain, get in touch – email info@thebnghub.co.uk or call us on 0114 3035123.


Read more about Biodiveristy Net Gain, offsetting and habitat banking, through our partnership with Wildscapes CIC here.


BNG units for sale in 2026

Posted on by Wildscapes

The BNG Hub has a number of sites already established and available to deliver biodiversity units but we are always keen to hear from landowners interested in supporting nature’s recovery and establishing a diversified income stream for their land.

In late 2025 the Wildscapes CIC Ecology team were out and about at the Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust’s Ughill Farm, as they’ve been carrying out baseline habitat assessments getting BNG-ready to go to market in 2026 with purchaseable units. It was a very muddy time! They even uncovered what they think is an old miner’s boot in an area that was previously mined! (this will not be for sale!)

Watch this space – there will be grassland habitat units coming online in 2026 as we develop our range of services offered. Get in touch for a chat – email info@thebnghub.co.uk or call 0114 3035123

Want to get involved in BNG?

Posted on by Wildscapes

Interested in finding out more? 

As Wildscapes CIC continues to develop into 2026 by delivering more BNG services for landowners and developers across South Yorkshire, we are looking for freelance ecological surveyors to work with us on baseline habitat assessing and other areas of our BNG work. Get in touch if you are interested in working with us, or to learn more, visit our BNG Hub. 

As we expand our function we will be able to offer more services to meet the growing demands of mandatory Bidodiversity Net Gain, including baseline assessments of habitat banking sites, and maintenance period pricing-work. Our BNG Contracting Officer, Jihanna Bonilla-Allard can tell you more about what’s involved – get in touch on info@thebnghub.co.uk.

Hub launched to support Biodiversity Net Gain implementation

Posted on by Wildscapes

The BNG Hub is a new comprehensive resource, offering a complete end to end service and revolutionising the way developers approach Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).

Launched by South Yorkshire based environmental consultancy, Wildscapes CIC, and supported by parent company, Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, the BNG Hub is a dedicated service offering everything from baseline BNG assessments to the supply of biodiversity units.

Mandatory BNG came into force in February this year as part of an effort to ensure steps are taken to protect and enhance vital habitats and wildlife in the UK.  As part of the requirement, for the first time, developers must now measure and quantify their impact on biodiversity.  They will also have to come up with a long-term plan to deliver at least 10% more of the biodiversity that is going to be negatively affected.

The BNG Hub aims to facilitate the understanding and adoption of mandatory BNG measures, and to contribute significantly to the restoration and enhancement of biodiversity in the face of development. Boasting a wealth of knowledge in ecological conservation, land management, and sustainable development, the BNG Hub team are well-equipped to guide developers through the intricacies of BNG regulations, assessments, and implementation.

With a vast range of services on offer, developers are welcome to hand the entire process over to the BNG Hub, including the purchase of units, BNG baseline assessments of the development land, BNG plan implementation and the 30-year monitoring requirement, or simply pick and choose from any of the different elements.

Commenting on the launch of the BNG Hub, BNG Development Officer at Wildscapes CIC, Jihanna Bonilla-Allard said, ‘We’ve been supporting clients with biodiversity net gain for some time now, and over the last couple of years we’ve worked hard to create a package that will support developers to meet the new mandatory BNG requirements.  We want to take the stress away from our clients whilst ensuring nature can thrive alongside development’.

Developers and interested parties are encouraged to explore the website to find answers to commonly asked questions and discover the range of support on offer.  Enquiries from landowners interested in supporting nature’s recovery and establishing a diversified income stream for their land, are also welcomed.