“Both Sides of the BNG Coin” – 25th March Seminar

A common question – who is who in the BNG world – who are we talking to and taking advice from? 

Understanding the market requires knowing who is involved and who you are talking to; Defra in 2023 mentioned only two BNG brokers and operators. Three years on this is Hugh Townsend’s list: 

Key Actors 

Defra in February 2023 mentioned only two – BNG operators and brokers.  

BNG Operators 

  • DIY Landowner of habitat bank, individual consultants’ advice as needed. Separate ecologist and solicitor for s106 & CC.  
  • DIY Landowner using BNG project manager/consultant joined up advice on BNG marketplace, ecology, estates, agricultural/grants, stackability, legal, insurance and tax. Cost usually <5% of value of units.  
  • BNG Landless Operators 1. The “pay nothing now but pay more later” with variable packages – Operator taking 25-95% of gross sale value. Free habitat bank set up costs for ecology and s106/CC legal costs, operator can control sales or own them out right and can make the landowner’s payments annually over the 30 year term. 

BNG Brokers​ 

  1. “The Pure broker” – similar to an estate agent, works on commission – no need to commit to other services – unregulated or RICS regulated – independent no agenda behind the scenes i.e. bond holders or lenders to the brokerage business or with other affiliations.  ​ 

   2. Part of the Landless operators’ package selling units. Or units owned outright by Landless operator.​ Brokers affiliated with landless operators, and those integrated with ecological, forestry or other service providers. 

   3. Part of other businesses - an investment house, an ecologists, foresters or other ecological service.​ 

Others​ 

  1. Insurance brokers for BNG projects​ 
  1. Investors/wealth managers​ 
  1. Specialist mortgage brokers​ 
  1. Ecologists  
  1. Solicitors 

Townsend Chartered Surveyors 

An independent RICS regulated “one stop shop” with a joined up and continuous service to create a habitat bank with our own team of panel ecologists, solicitors, foresters. Making use of our 40 years of marketing such assets combined with our rural estate management experience. Modular advice also offered. And if also instructed separately the national leading pure broker of units.