Net Gain Staffordshire is a free, non-commercial web platform, brought to you by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, the county’s largest nature conservation charity.
The platform was set up to help everyone involved in Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) – such as homebuilders, landowners and local authorities – to deliver high quality, Gold Standard BNG.
The ambition of Net Gain Staffordshire is to help ensure that any habitat created to deliver offsite Biodiversity Net Gain is linked to the priorities in Staffordshire's emerging Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
This approach secures the best outcomes for nature and is more cost effective for those delivering BNG.
Who is Net Gain Staffordshire for?
Net Gain Staffordshire is an all-in-one platform for everyone involved in BNG. It is a tool for:
- Landowners wishing to learn more about using their land to provide Biodiversity Units
- Landowners who already have Biodiversity Units (or prospective Units) and want to advertise these to homebuilders
- Developers looking for Biodiversity Units in Staffordshire
- Landowners who want to set up a Conservation Covenant in order to add their Biodiversity Units to the national sites register
- Planning applicants who require information on the planning process for Biodiversity Net Gain
- Local authority planners and ecologists who want to see where Biodiversity Units sit within Priority Areas for nature conservation
Why use Net Gain Staffordshire?
Net Gain Staffordshire’s Nature Recovery Network mapping tool helps ensure that Biodiversity Net Gain is delivered in the best places for nature.
Targeting BNG in areas that have been identified as a priority for nature conservation also benefits landowners and developers. Put simply, Biodiversity Units in a Priority Area - also known as an area of ‘Strategic Significance’ - score more highly in the BNG Metric. This means it is more cost effective to deliver BNG in these areas.
"Net Gain Staffordshire is a fantastic tool for developers, landowners and local authorities, by ensuring that any new developments contribute positively to nature recovery by boosting local biodiversity and protecting wildlife habitats. Importantly, this new website will help to align the requirement for Biodiversity Net Gain with the priorities of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy."
How we can help
Landowners and land managers
Do you want to provide Biodiversity Units on your land?
Using your land to provide Biodiversity Units can offer you a reliable, long-term income stream. If your land sits with a Priority Area for nature, it can be an especially good option.
Founded in 1969, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust has extensive experience in habitat creation and restoration, as well as access to the latest ecological data. We manage over 40 nature reserves across the county and work with partners such as The Environment Agency and local authorities to deliver both small and large-scale conservation projects.
We are a trusted local organisation and are keen to work with others who want to support nature’s recovery.
Is BNG a good option for your land?
If you are interested in using land that you own or manage to provide Biodiversity Units, talk to us first to find out if BNG delivery is a viable option for you.
Book a free telephone consultation with a member of our BNG team.
Next steps
If you’ve already decided to use your land for BNG delivery, head over to our BNG Services page. Here we explain the documentation you’ll need to obtain to get your land BNG ready, such as getting a BNG Assessment.
Looking for a buyer for your Biodiversity Units?
If you already have Biodiversity Units on your land and you’re looking for a buyer, you can add them to our interactive Nature Recovery Network map.
You'll need to set up a free account to add your site to the map. You’ll be able to include information with your listing such as habitat data and the number of BNG Units available.
Developers will be able to contact you through the portal if they are interested in your land.
For a limited time, registration is free for landowners.
Developers and ecologists
Are you looking for Biodiversity Units in Staffordshire?
If you are a developer looking to deliver off-site BNG, you can use our interactive map to find Biodiversity Units that are available now, and sites that are earmarked for Biodiversity Net Gain delivery in future.
Our map is the only free tool that shows Priority Areas – or areas of Strategic Significance - for nature conservation. Delivering BNG within one of these areas is best for nature and is likely to be financially beneficial, provided the habitat you create is appropriate.
Once you’ve located Units you are interested in, you can use Net Gain Staffordshire to make contact with the landowner.
Sign up for a free account
Sign up to view Biodiversity Units and add sites to our interactive map
To view potential BNG offsetting sites on our map, or add your own sites, you’ll need to sign up for an account.
You can register as either a developer, ecologist or landowner. Once you have created an account you will be able to browse the full map and submit your own sites for review.