Kellen Homes has partnered with Landmark Information Group to trial new biodiversity net gain technology that will allow for easy mapping of potential development sites.
Kellen Homes has been working with Landmark behind the scenes to help finesse their pioneering new mapping tool which has now been launched. The technology delivers fast biodiversity net gain data that allows developers to focus on sites with great potential to offer biodiversity improvements. That will become increasingly important to support the UK Government’s Environment Act for biodiversity net gain (BNG) legislation, taking effect in January 2024. Landmark’s BiodiversityCheck report provides a high-level assessment score of a site’s current biodiversity and its potential for improvements.
Kellen Homes has already used the tool on three potential sites and fed back their experiences and learnings to the development team at Landmark who incorpated the information into the final version.
Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is an approach to development and land management, that aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than it was beforehand. It includes all living organisms, including animals, insects, plants, bacteria and fungi and the aim of the new tool is to make it easier for developers to see potential improvements in biodiversity when planning new schemes.
Kellen Homes Head of Architecture and Planning Design, Ray Collins, said: “The issue of biodiversity net gain is increasingly important, and this report allows us to quickly assess a site to establish its potential which in turn helps us make an informed and rapid decision about its viability.
“This is pioneering technology that will be swiftly adopted by the industry as a whole and it is great to have been part of its development.”
Alex Wrottesley, Managing Director Landmark Geodata, adds: "Biodiversity net gain will shortly be a new regulatory requirement and one which is underpinned by our natural desire to preserve our environment and improve the wellbeing of communities that rely on it. BiodiversityCheck is designed to simplify and enhance the BNG assessment process, offering precise, reliable, and cost-effective insights. It is the ultimate solution for developers, landowners, and environmental professionals to navigate the complex landscape of biodiversity net gain with confidence.”
