SMEs are the backbone of English development, with 35,000 companies and individuals responsible for the overwhelming majority of planning applications. They may be overlooked in most policy conversations, but make no mistake - small sites are, in many ways, the keystone holding up the entire planning system, and nowhere is that truer than when it comes to BNG compliance.

Of course, BNG is far more than just a regulatory tick box exercise; it’s fundamentally a fresh perspective on development, a new attitude which offers genuine benefits for both the environment and local communities. Greener, more biodiverse sites boost sustainability and appeal to buyers and tenants, making BNG a win-win for all scales of developers and the local environment.

Small sites have unique challenges when it comes to BNG because, as a general rule, new regulations can weigh more heavily on SMEs. Recognising that exempting them would dramatically undermine BNG (as identified in this Net gain impact assessment) the Government introduced the Small Site Metric (SSM). This simpler scheme ensures that even modest developments can contribute to a more biodiverse future without being disproportionately burdened.



Nine months into the SSM, it’s clear that it has gone a long way towards addressing the issues facing small sites, but it is not enough as currently stands. LPAs have made clear that there is a lack of resources and guidance, which has caused a few headaches - but these are being addressed, with Natural England issuing new guidance over December. Now is the time to highlight ways we can further improve the current system – though it’s important that these ideas actually seek to make BNG work to its full potential for developers and biodiversity.

Case Study 3: Agricultural Field and Storage Barn

A project involving an agricultural field with winter stubble required the construction of a storage barn. To offset the biodiversity impact, the team used digital tools to quickly map out the site and determine the impact of the new building. Here the issue was the lack of obvious enhancements that could be undertaken as the habitat type that was being built upon is one that lacks enhancement options.

However, this is again where digital tools came in useful – as it allowed the applicant to explore creation options. They realised that saplings could be integrated into the design of the new building and, using the GIS-based tools that are in our software, were able to experiment with strategically placing saplings to complement the existing ecological network—a simple process that resulted in a suitable solution being found in just a matter of minutes.

In all three cases, by using Joe’s Blooms’ digital tools, the applicants were able to quickly map their sites, explore various design options and find viable, proportionate on-site options that allowed them to maximise biodiversity gains. In each case, there was a “scary moment” where it seemed as if there was no obvious way to get the 10%, but within a matter of minutes, they were able to develop plans that not only met that target but also adhered to the mitigation hierarchy.

These examples highlight the versatility and effectiveness of the SSM when combined with our tools and support. With thousands of people using the tool across England and hundreds upon hundreds of successful uses of the BNG tool, it is clear that digital tools can make BNG extremely simple - and affordable - for small sites. 

Of course, our tools are just one piece in the puzzle. As we say, there are lots of resources – both free and paid for – out there. But what is increasingly clear is that these resources can really make a difference. And that is vital. Small sites are the backbone of the new policy, and we mustn't give up on them, but instead work together to ensure that this vital part of BNG works. Our environment depends on it.