Local BNG for affordable housing development
Karbon Homes needed off-site Biodiversity Units for a residential project in Northumberland that would provide accessible and affordable housing for local people. With a cost-effective solution from Environment Bank, Karbon Homes met its Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) condition locally and development work went ahead as planned.
About the development project
Redeveloping an existing site that had stood empty for ten years in Prudhoe, Northumberland, Karbon Homes wanted to create eight new apartments on a 777m2 plot that it would then manage, helping meet an increasing local need for affordable housing.
The new development would include sustainable design features, such as ample bicycle storage and an electric vehicle charging bay for every apartment, and accessibility provision, including gentle sloping ramps for wheelchair users.
With this being its first application subject to BNG, Karbon first explored all the available options for biodiversity gain at the development site itself – retaining, enhancing, and creating habitats around the new homes wherever possible.
All that remained for Karbon to deliver enough of an increase in biodiversity to satisfy its BNG condition was less than one Biodiversity Unit of grassland, so it reached out to Environment Bank.
A flexible solution that adapted to project changes
With a supply of off-site Biodiversity Units readily available nearby and a team of BNG experts ready to provide guidance, we were easily able to help.
Following an amended assessment which changed its BNG requirement value, we supported Karbon, reviewing its BNG metrics and tweaking its quote to reflect the precise amount needed.
Our team provided comprehensive advice throughout the process. The purchase was finalised at the end of February 2025 which was less than one month after Karbon was granted planning permission, so work on the new apartments could begin on schedule.
Thanks to Environment Bank, this small project could satisfy its BNG condition so we could create affordable and accessible homes for local people. It’s great to know that habitats are being restored in the area as a result, and we trust the ecologists at Environment Bank working hard to increase local biodiversity.
We’d be happy to recommend Environment Bank’s team to other housebuilders and we’re grateful to receive their ongoing support with our upcoming projects.
Marie Lodge
Development Manager
Karbon Homes
Restoring biodiversity close to the development
We provided Karbon with grassland Biodiversity Units from our Bingfield Habitat Bank, a dedicated BNG site located less than fifteen miles away from the new homes.
As Bingfield Habitat Bank sits in the same local planning authority (LPA) area as the development, we could provide a local BNG solution and deliver the most cost-effective off-site option for Karbon.
Across fifty acres, our own qualified ecologists are creating vast wildflower meadows with scrubland and ponds designed to support a diverse range of wildlife – from brown hares to great crested newts. By enhancing the soil health, we’ll also help to make the land more resilient against the effects of climate change so it can provide natural flood mitigation.
It was rewarding playing a part in this new development for Karbon Homes. We are currently working with Karbon on multiple projects at varying stages of planning, and I’m glad we were able to support with its first project requiring off-site Biodiversity Units.
Ettienne Gioia
Senior Key Account Manager
Environment Bank