Biodiversity Net Gain
Legislation demands a 10% gain in biodiversity on all new development schemes in England. Environmental enhancement is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ – it’s mandatory.
Pioneering an ahead-of-its-time biodiversity net gain solution for the development industry.
Developers are scrambling to secure credible biodiversity offsetting solutions to help secure planning permissions, which present opportunities for environmentally-conscious landowners.
Land unsuitable for strategic development or set aside for agricultural use might now be more valuable as a home for wildlife. However, emerging markets create as much uncertainty as opportunity.
Bidwells was pioneering biodiversity net gain contracts in 2012, years before the Environment Bill. We were signing biodiversity offsetting land deals and management arrangements with landowners while many in the development sector were still oblivious to the changing emphasis of environmental protection.
Nine years on, we’ve advised on biodiversity net gain for projects delivering a total of 25,000 homes and 15m sq ft of commercial space, with a GDV of £15m, as well as advising Wildlife Trusts across the Oxford to Cambridge Arc.
Our deep understanding of development, land management economics, the ecological objectives of mitigation and underpinning legal frameworks will continue to help shape a growing market that is set to stay
Service options
Compulsory Purchase
However a compulsory purchase order arises, an experienced, informed and coherent view is essential to understand your particular situation and ensure optimum compensation for any loss accrued during the process.
Energy and Renewables
We have been helping landowners, developers and investors realise the full potential of renewable technologies for 25 years and we continue to deliver new and exciting projects in this evolving environment.
Farm Strategy
The world of farming is changing fast with traditional activities being replaced by an array of modern opportunities. Our analytical and inventive approach will open them up to you.
Natural Capital and Carbon Strategy
We are at the forefront of the intersection between finance and nature, providing the link between investors and landowners to enable the realisation of Net Zero and carbon off-setting objectives.
Rural Development
Unlocking the potential of your property through rural development.
Rural Diversification
Our specialists breathe life and value into rural places and spaces.
Strategic Business Planning
You are as individual as the business plans we create but our clients have a commonality of wanting a properly structured business, facilitating income and capital growth and long-term sustainability.
Strategic Land Promotion
Finding the right vehicle for a landowner to promote a strategic development site takes a considered approach from an experienced team that provides the answers before the questions are asked.
Strategic Planning Advice
Working with you to consider the long-term strategic options to maximise development opportunities.
Succession Planning
Woodland Creation
A deep-rooted understanding of landscape-scale economic and environmental drivers allows our forestry experts to deliver the complete woodland creation service.
More of our land and estate capabilities
Buying and selling land and estates
Land and estate management
Adding value to land and estates
Get in touch with our team
Biodiversity Net Gain in Development

Incoming legislation demands a 10% gain in biodiversity on all new development schemes in England. Environmental enhancement is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ – it’s mandatory.