GPSJ - SPRING 2025 - Flipbook - Page 31
ECO & SUSTAINABILITY
GPSJ
Biodiversity net gain: Public sector
challenges and opportunities
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
is no longer just a buzzword
in environmental circles —
it’s a legal requirement with
major implications for the
public sector. From local
councils and schools to NHS
estates and publicly owned
land, organisations are now
obliged to leave natural
habitats in a better state
than they found them. Yet,
navigating the complexities of
BNG implementation can be
daunting.
Tony Robinson, Senior Ecologist
at OUTCO, explains how public
sector bodies can meet their
obligations while unlocking the
wider bene昀椀ts of greener, more
sustainable outdoor spaces.
Understanding the BNG
Obligation
At its core, Biodiversity Net Gain
is the principle that development
or land use change should result
in a measurable improvement
in biodiversity. Under the
Environment Act 2021, most
developments in England must
now deliver a minimum 10%
biodiversity net gain, managed
and monitored over a 30-year
period.
For the public sector —
often the largest landowners
in any area — this creates
both a responsibility and an
opportunity. Whether it’s a
new school, housing project,
hospital expansion or routine
estate management, the need
to measure, report and enhance
biodiversity is now embedded
in the planning process. But
quantifying “10% better” is not
always straightforward.
Why This Matters for Local
Authorities and Public
Estates
While developers must account
for BNG at the planning stage,
landowners are responsible for
delivering and maintaining the gain
— often across decades. That
includes councils, NHS trusts,
education bodies and government
departments managing public
assets.
Outdoor FM teams, highways
departments, parks managers
and estate o昀케cers will all 昀椀nd
themselves involved in this
e昀昀ort. What was once seen as
landscaping is now an essential
part of environmental compliance
and climate resilience.
The Challenge of
Measurement
The law provides standardised
tools for calculating biodiversity
using statutory biodiversity units.
But applying these tools in realworld settings can be complex.
A habitat assessment must be
completed by a quali昀椀ed ecologist,
and strategies must be put in
place to improve and maintain
biodiversity levels over time.
At OUTCO, we are working
with several public sector clients
to help simplify this process. We
provide detailed habitat surveys,
produce BNG reports, and design
practical interventions that align
with local biodiversity action plans
and estate management goals.
Practical Applications:
Turning Green Space into
Gain Space
Public sector land is incredibly
diverse — from town centre
car parks to woodland paths,
playing 昀椀elds to hospital grounds.
What counts as a gain in one
setting may fall short in another.
That’s why BNG needs a tailored
approach.
For example:
• In school settings, wild昀氀ower
borders and pollinator planting
schemes can o昀昀er curriculum
tie-ins and environmental
education bene昀椀ts.
• In urban council estates,
replacing non-native shrubs
with native plants can boost
biodiversity while reducing pest
issues.
• In NHS grounds, selecting less
allergenic, bee-attracting plants
can balance biodiversity gains
with patient comfort and safety.
At OUTCO, we’ve used
reptile-attracting mats on public
land to support species surveys
and habitat enhancement. We
also advise councils to move
away from sterile species like
Cotoneaster microphyllus, which
may look nice but o昀昀er little
ecological value — and often
attract rodents — in favour of
native species that o昀昀er both
biodiversity and aesthetic
improvements.
Making BNG A昀昀ordable and
Sustainable
BNG doesn’t need to be
expensive. In fact, when
implemented strategically, it can
reduce long-term maintenance
costs and lower carbon
emissions. For example:
• Less frequent hedge trimming
and selective mowing reduces
emissions and cuts costs.
• Herbaceous borders that
bloom across seasons
provide year-round visual
interest and require fewer
inputs than traditional bedding
plants.
As public bodies face ongoing
昀椀nancial pressure, it’s essential
that biodiversity planning is
aligned with value-for-money
principles. Well-designed
interventions can reduce future
grounds maintenance costs,
support net zero goals, and
enhance community wellbeing.
Public Engagement Is Key
One of the biggest challenges
we see isn’t technical — it’s
perceptual. Landscapes designed
to bene昀椀t nature don’t always
look “tidy” to the public eye. Long
grass and wild昀氀ower meadows
may appear unkempt, leading to
complaints.
But this is where
communication matters. Signage,
stakeholder education, and
visible pathways can help site
users understand and appreciate
these biodiverse spaces. On one
site, we used signage with QR
codes linking to information about
reptile surveys — turning a simple
grounds maintenance task into a
public engagement opportunity.
Public understanding is crucial.
Without it, even the most wellplanned BNG projects risk being
reversed.
Turning Compliance into
Community Value
The BNG requirement is not
just about ticking a box — it’s a
chance for the public sector to
lead by example in addressing the
biodiversity and climate crises.
With the right guidance and
partners, public sector bodies
can transform their estates into
living examples of environmental
responsibility, ecological diversity,
and community pride.
How OUTCO Can Help
At OUTCO, we work alongside
local authorities, NHS trusts,
schools, and other public sector
organisations to:
• Deliver BNG-compliant surveys
and reporting
• Design and implement
cost-e昀昀ective biodiversity
improvements
• Provide ongoing maintenance
and monitoring
• Engage the public and
stakeholders in the biodiversity
journey
By combining ecology expertise
with practical estate management,
we help public sector bodies turn
obligation into opportunity.
For more information on
how OUTCO can support your
organisation make the most of
its outside spaces, contact us on
0800 0432 911 email enquiries@
outco.co.uk or visit
www.outco.co.uk.
GOVERNMENT
AND PUBLICAND
SECTOR
JOURNAL
SUMMER/AUTUMN
2015
GOVERNMENT
PUBLIC
SECTOR
JOURNAL SPRING 2025
27
29
31
