
Biodiversity Net Gain Baseline Assessment

- Company: CSX
- Client: Confidential
- Year: 2024
- Region: England
- Product: Biodiversity Net Gain Baseline Assessment, Drone Survey, Habitat Mapping
- Geographical information systems (GIS) and mapping
- Environmental and sustainability services
- Digital twins
Introduction
A project in North Yorkshire is set to deliver between 23.52 to 27.92 BNG units; using a drone survey and quadrat imagery, baseline habitats have been identified according to UK Habitat Classification and entered into the DEFRA BNG Statutory Metric.
The aim of this project is to generate a biodiversity uplift through enhancement and creation of ecologically important habitats, improving species diversity, ecosystem services and connectivity, supporting the landowner to make environmentally & financially sustainable land management choices.
Challenges
It should also be noted that BNG projects have a 30-year lifetime and therefore ensuring the project area is suitably managed across that time period presents itself as a challenge.
Solutions
The HMMP must also be regularly updated to ensure fluidity of the project as it progresses, ultimately to ensure we supporting the landowner to deliver the best outcome for biodiversity.
Regular monitoring intervals across the 30-year project lifetime are also implemented to ensure project delivery is on track to deliver the proposed outcomes. CSX works in collaboration with the landowner and Local Planning Authority to ensure monitoring is carried out effectively and habitat enhancement and creation remains on-track.