Fractional BNG supports Bournemouth housing
Bayview Developments were looking to fulfil Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements for a new apartment block in Bournemouth and Environment Bank was able to quickly source off-site Biodiversity Units that suited the project’s scale and exact BNG needs.
About the development project
In March 2025, Bayview Developments received planning permission to develop a block of residential flats containing eight two- and three-bedroom apartments.
Overlooking Bournemouth’s iconic Boscombe Beach, this scenic development would also possess a dedicated bicycle parking area – inviting residents to choose sustainable means of transport. The developers also designed a shared garden area within the apartment block, creating an accessible green space for the residents.
A fast BNG solution that meets fractional requirements
Covering less than one acre of land, Bayview Developments required fractional Biodiversity Units in other neutral grassland and lowland meadows to meet BNG requirements.
After the developer reached out to us in February 2025, just one month before securing the planning permission, we quickly sourced precise amount of Biodiversity Units needed for the project.
We were able to allocate the Biodiversity Units just days after the final payment was confirmed in August 2025, allowing the development to move forward without delay.
Creating diverse habitats in Dorset
We sourced the required Biodiversity Units from our Witchampton Habitat Bank, a nature recovery project that sits in the adjacent local planning authority (LPA) to the development – reducing the cost of this BNG solution.
Witchampton Habitat Bank spans almost ninety acres in Dorset and our expert team of ecologists have designed a wide variety of vibrant habitats at the site – including floodplain wetland mosaic and CFGM, a rare and complex habitat type.
Sitting adjacent to the River Allen and partially lying within the Dorset ecological network, the strategic placement of this site will promote connectivity for a wide range of local wildlife.
Our restoration of habitats at Witchampton Habitat Bank will not only revitalise the local landscape but also build resilience against flooding and the effects of climate change. We’re hoping to create a thriving haven for flora and fauna – including great-crested newt, white-clawed crayfish, skylark, pipistrelle bat, barn owl, and river otter.
“Our national network of Habitat Banks makes it easy for Environment Bank to cater for any development’s complex needs. It’s great to contribute to local housing projects while also supporting nature.”
Ettienne Gioia
Senior Key Account Manager
Environment Bank