Leicester LPA BNG

Leicester is a compact unitary authority in the East Midlands, encompassing a densely populated urban core surrounded by rivers, parks, and green corridors. Covering around 73 square kilometres, the city features a blend of residential, commercial, and industrial development alongside local nature reserves and watercourses such as the River Soar and Grand Union Canal.

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Leicester City Council requires most developments to achieve a minimum of 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), in accordance with the Environment Act 2021. The statutory biodiversity metric must be used to assess habitat losses and gains, whether delivered on-site or via off-site biodiversity units.

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The city falls within National Character Area Leicestershire Vales. Typical habitats include neutral grasslands, urban woodland, rivers, wetlands, and brownfield mosaic habitats. Wildlife in the area includes water vole, kingfisher, amphibians, bats, and a variety of pollinators.

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BNG opportunities in Leicester focus on enhancing existing urban greenspace, restoring river corridors, creating pollinator-friendly planting schemes, and improving habitat connectivity across the urban landscape.

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We offer full BNG services in Leicester, including UKHab surveys, biodiversity metric calculations, and strategies for habitat creation in high-density areas.