Supporting Biodiversity Net Gain in the Planning System Conference 2025
Past Supporters Include:
Overview:
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) will be required to demonstrate Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) from May 2026. There is still work to be done, with the Environment Agency reporting that biodiversity continues to decline across the country; through sharing best practice councils can build on existing strategies on integrating green infrastructure and working in partnership to successfully deliver biodiversity net gain.
- Biodiversity Net Gain requires that new developments secure a net 10% gain in biodiversity
- Action to restore or create at least 38,877 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat has been undertaken since January 2023
- State of Nature, the most comprehensive report on UK wildlife published in 2023, shows that species studied have declined by 19% in the UK since monitoring began in 1970 (State of Nature, 2023)
Join us at the Supporting Biodiversity Net Gain in the Planning System Conference 2025 to explore how local authorities, planners and developers can improve Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements and deliver outcomes that help regenerate the environment. With biodiversity still in decline, now is the time to go beyond compliance learn from leading national voices, local case studies and innovative BNG strategies. Gain insight into upcoming NSIP regulations, effective habitat delivery, biodiversity credits and public engagement. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to connect with experts, shape a more ambitious and nature-positive planning future.
Why Attend:
✓ Hear the latest policies and strategies for implementing and delivering biodiversity net gain
✓ Best practice examples of implementing BNG onsite
✓ Engage with selected case studies addressing key issues
✓ Network with speakers and senior colleagues from across the biodiversity sector
✓ CPD gain 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota
Agenda
Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Nicole Gullan, Associate Director, Arbtech (CONFIRMED)
Keynote: Public and Community Engagement with BNG
- The more the public are involved in planning for BNG at the outset, the more likely they are to support delivery of BNG commitments over time
- Research has produced concrete recommendations to help developers and local authorities engage with people in each phase of housing development from pre-construction to long-term management and monitoring
- Crucial to successfully engaging people are more and better information provision, public education on BNG and nature recovery, and building lasting BNG-related interfaces with the public.
Dr Rosie McGee, Senior Fellow, Institute of Development Studies (CONFIRMED)
Keynote: Working Across Sectors for Biodiversity Net Gain
- Insights into funding opportunities to secure long-term deliverability of biodiversity net gain
- Tips on improving public education in subjects relating to sustainable development and the protection of the environment
- Reflections on addressing areas of economic and social deprivation through the promotion of regeneration by the conservation of the environment
- Utilising natural resources and biological diversity to achieve public buy-in in sustainable development projects
Chris Valdus, Head of Business Development, The Land Trust (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Comfort Break
Keynote: High Integrity BNG – A vision of a nature rich future for the next 30 years and beyond
Jack Potter, Head of Nature Based Solutions, Wild Capital (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: Habitat Bank Management and Market Updates
Vicki Mordue, Managing Director, Biodiverse Consulting (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Breakout Networking:
This session will provide you with the opportunity to discuss the main challenges you face when working in partnership to improve biodiversity in the UK.
Lunch Break
Keynote: BNG Protections for Woodlands and Trees
- How woodland and tree protections interact with BNG
- What practical opportunities BNG creates for developers and land manager
- Best-practice advice the Forestry Commission would highlight when it comes to trees and woodland in planning.
Amanda Newsome, Biodiversity Net Gain Advisor, Forestry Commission (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: Managing Statutory Biodiversity Credits Across the Public Sector
- Ensuring inclusive participation and fair benefit-sharing with local communities in the design and implementation of credit schemes
- Mobilising blended finance mechanisms that attract both public and private investment into biodiversity credit initiatives
James Byrne, Head of Nature Markets, Plantlife International (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Comfort Break
Keynote: BNG Market Updates and Insights
- Tracking emerging trends in biodiversity unit pricing and regional market variations
- Understanding how supply and demand imbalances affect local delivery of BNG
- Applying the latest regulatory updates to improve planning and compliance
- Identifying practical steps to build confidence in BNG markets.
Ian Hambleton, CEO, Biodiversity Units UK (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: BNG Hub: Supporting Developers and Local Authorities with Mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain
- Introducing to the BNG Hub as a resource supporting implementation of mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain
- Outlining how the Hub helps developers, local authorities and partners navigate BNG requirements efficiently
- Practical tools and guidance to support planning and management of biodiversity outcomes
- Opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing to improve nature recovery across sectors.
Jihanna Bonilla-Allard, Development Officer, Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: Interdisciplinary Training for Environmental Net Gain
Dr Chris Sutherland, Reader in Statistics and Spatial Ecologist, University of St Andrews (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Nicole Gullan, Associate Director, Arbtech (CONFIRMED)
Conference Close
Get in Touch
Speakers
Nicole Gullan
Associate Director
Arbtech
Dr Rosie McGee
Senior Fellow
Institute of Development Studies
Chris Valdus
Head of Business Development
The Land Trust
Jack Potter
Head of Nature Based Solutions
Wild Capital
Vicki Mordue
Managing Director
Biodiverse Consulting
Amanda Newsome
Biodiversity Net Gain Advisor
Forestry Commission
James Byrne
Head of Nature Markets
Plantlife International
Ian Hambleton
CEO
Biodiversity Units UK
Jihanna Bonilla-Allard
Development Officer
Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust
Dr Chris Sutherland
Reader in Statistics and Spatial Ecologist
University of St Andrews
Testimonials
The course was very useful and extremely informative. It was great to hear the latest updates and guidance from the experts on the legal requirements for planning projects across the UK and how to achieve the outlined biodiversity net gain targets.
Very useful and insightful, answering a few queries we have around LPA’s and the planning process
Why You Should Attend
Why Attend:
✓ Hear the latest policies and strategies for implementing and delivering biodiversity net gain
✓ Best practice examples of implementing BNG into on-sight
✓ Engage with selected case studies addressing key issues
✓ Network with speakers and senior colleagues from across the biodiversity sector
✓ CPD gain 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota
Who Should Attend?
| Building Surveyor | Councils |
| Tree Officer | Housing Groups |
| Project Manager | Environment Agency |
| Biodiversity Net Gain Officer | Combined Authority |
| Operations | The Planning Inspectorate |
| Sustainability officer | Department of Health and Social Care |
Pricing Options
PRIVATE SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
PUBLIC SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
Sponsorship
Raise your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business
If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact us HERE
IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.
Virtual vs F2F
Whilst F2F provide better options for networking, there are many distinct advantages of sponsoring our online conferences including:
- Wider geographical reach of delegates and a different audience who prefer online to f2f
- Lower sponsorship package costs
- No travel/accommodation
- Less time out of the office
- No stand materials required (lower costs)
- 1 of only 2 sponsors involved – less competition on the day
- Prime speaking slot in the morning of the conference including Q&A – less distractions and easier for delegates to hear/absorb information
- Receive all delegate data after the conference to follow-up directly with those who attend and don’t attend (small % but still key stakeholders)
- Ongoing exposure via OnDemand access (coming soon)
To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below:
