How to commercially navigate NSIPs and BNG
Mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain comes into force for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) on May 2026 - think major rail corridors, energy infrastructure, and strategic road networks.
The specific challenge for NSIP developers is scale and complexity. These projects routinely cross multiple Local Planning Authority boundaries and Natural Character Areas.
A single infrastructure project might need grassland units across three counties, woodland restoration in two different NCAs, and watercourse credits that simply aren't available locally.
This situation creates three clear commercial problems:
Finding suppliers who can deliver.
The habitat bank market is still maturing. Approximately 150 habitat banks exist nationally, with current supply concentrated in specific regions. There are notable gaps in watercourse units and certain habitat types.Negotiating across fragmented supply.
When you're sourcing from different habitat banks across different regions, you're negotiating separate commercial terms. Each supplier operates differently.Coordinating across multiple Local Planning Authorities.
A project crossing multiple LPAs doesn't just need units - it needs to manage stakeholder expectations across multiple councils, each with their own Local Nature Recovery Strategies and habitat priorities. .
The smartest NSIP developers won't try to navigate this themselves.
They need someone who can take all the thinking work away - comparing the whole market, negotiating with multiple suppliers, managing the multi-authority stakeholder relationships, and securing units that match their requirements.
Having spent two years building partnerships with over 85% of the UK Habitat Bank unit suppliers we are in a unique position to help.
Rather than searching for multiple suppliers, you can speak to our experienced team to handle the brokerage and give advice on how to best approach both procurement and planning.
Getting started
If you’re a NSIPs Developer, Planning Consultant or Ecologist looking at a project in preparation for May’s BNG launch, please get in touch.
You can book a free NSIPs strategy call with our team - just email: info@biodiversityunits.com