The Government introduced new rules in the summer of 2024 which severely restricted the ability of an applicant to secure on-site gains if the red line only includes dwellinghouses and private gardens. Among other things, the rules state that BNG gains cannot be created within a private garden (e.g. planting trees or new features). Instead, all new features in the garden should be recorded as Urabn - Vegetated Garden.

So what can you do? There are a couple of options.

Possible Option: Purchase Off-Site Units (recommended)

If you have only a private garden and building works within your redline, you could always look to secure the necessary uplift via Off-site units. This means, in effect, paying someone off-site to secure the necessary uplift. We have partnered with BNGx, which can provide you with a free quote.

Possible Option: Create a small BNG site on the edge of the site (only if LPA agrees)

One option is to create a distinct area within your red line where BNG gains can be achieved outside of your garden, i.e. you cut out part of your site and effectively "fence it off" and then put down habitats to secure your uplift - see the below example where a stretch of land has been created between the fence and the site boundary, with a set of saplings all down the "gap". For this to work, the area needs to be accessible and you need to make sure that the LPA is happy with this approach, agreeing that the area in question is a "BNG gain area" rather than private garden.