Off-Site BNG Units for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

BCP and the Dorset LNRS

BCP Council falls within the same Dorset Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) area as The Ferals. Under updated legislation, off-site units delivered within the same LNRS area will carry no spatial risk multiplier penalty — meaning units purchased from us will count in full for BCP developments.

Update: This change is due to take place and was announced in the legislation but hasn't been brought into effect yet. It's expected in 2027. Until then, the current spatial risk multiplier of 0.75 applies to BCP developments purchasing units from Dorset habitat banks, meaning you will need to purchase approximately one-third more units than the net requirement shown in your metric.

The Ferals is a registered biodiversity gain site on the Natural England register (reference BGS-180925001), backed by a 30-year Section 106 agreement with Dorset Council. Units are available now and can be allocated within weeks of agreement.

Why BCP Developments Need Off-Site Units

BCP is one of the most densely developed areas in the South West. The conurbation's brownfield regeneration sites, urban infill plots and constrained coastal parcels rarely have the space to deliver a full 10% biodiversity net gain on site. That makes off-site units the practical route to compliance for the majority of BCP schemes — from apartment blocks in central Bournemouth to redevelopment in Poole and Christchurch.

Where We Are

Habitat Bank

The Ferals, Tarrant Keyneston

Distance from BCP

Approx. 25 miles (Poole / Bournemouth)

Shared LNRS Area

Dorset LNRS — includes BCP Council

National Character Area

Cranborne Chase (NCA 134)

Spatial Risk to BCP

0.75 multiplier (LNRS change expected 2027)

Natural England Register

BGS-180925001

Why Off-Site BNG?

Not every development can deliver its full 10% biodiversity net gain on site. Common reasons developers need off-site BNG units include:

• Constrained sites - urban developments, brownfield sites, or small plots with no space for meaningful habitat creation
• Specific habitat types required - the biodiversity metric may require grassland, scrub, or woodland that cannot be created on the development site
• Speed and certainty - purchasing from a registered habitat bank gives immediate compliance rather than years of uncertain on-site habitat establishment
• Higher quality outcomes - a dedicated 250-acre habitat bank delivers better ecological outcomes than isolated pockets of habitat on development sites
• Planning condition requirements - some planning authorities specifically require off-site delivery through registered habitat banks

Available Unit Types

The Ferals currently offers four habitat unit types, all verified under the statutory Biodiversity Metric:

• Other Neutral Grassland - available now. Medium distinctiveness. The most commonly required unit type.
• Mixed Scrub - available now. Medium distinctiveness. Hawthorn, blackthorn and native shrub species.
• Individual Trees (Rural) - available now. Native tree planting contributing to habitat connectivity.
• Traditional Orchard - coming soon. High distinctiveness. Native fruit varieties.

For full details on our available units and how to purchase, see our BNG units for sale page. For pricing information, see our BNG unit cost guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use The Ferals' BNG units for a development in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole?

Yes. The Ferals is a registered habitat bank in Dorset, and BCP Council sits within the same Dorset Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) area. Our off-site BNG units are fully eligible for BCP developments.

Is there a spatial risk penalty for buying BNG units outside BCP?

Currently yes — a 0.75 multiplier applies, as BCP and Dorset Council are neighbouring LPAs under the current metric framework. Legislation has been announced to switch to LNRS-based assessment (which would remove this penalty as BCP and The Ferals share the same Dorset LNRS area), but this change hasn't been brought into effect yet. It is expected in 2027. Until then, your metric will need to account for the 0.75 multiplier when calculating how many units to purchase.

How quickly can BNG units be allocated to a BCP development?

Units at The Ferals are available now and can typically be allocated within weeks of agreement. Send us your completed Biodiversity Metric and we will confirm availability, pricing and the exact unit requirement for your scheme.

How much do off-site BNG units cost for a BCP scheme?

Pricing depends on habitat type and quantity. See our BNG unit cost guide for detailed pricing, or send us your metric for a firm quote tailored to your development.

Areas We Serve

The Ferals supplies off-site BNG units to developments across Dorset and neighbouring counties. Explore our area guides: