To assess whether we are able to meet your biodiversity unit requirements, please send the following documents to net.gain@trustforoxfordshire.org.uk: 1) The full baseline ecological survey. 2) A fully completed Statutory Metric. 3) the Planning Reference number (if applicable). 4) Maps showing the site location and target outcomes.

TOE has agreements with Vale of the White Horse, South Oxfordshire, Oxford City Council and West Oxfordshire District Councils to take compensation payments from developers to deliver off site BNG. This service has been developed in partnership with local planning authorities. Upon receipt of funds, TOE issues a certificate which the developer can use as proof that the planning condition has been discharged.

Peace of mind. Upon receipt of funds, TOE can issue a certificate that is accepted by LPAs as evidence of the discharge of a Planning Condition. When making a payment to TOE, TOE takes on the responsibility of not only finding a suitable site to deliver required biodiversity units, but also the 30+ -year responsibility of monitoring the sites.

Anyone with an offsite BNG requirement. However, TOE will not accept funds for any site which has involved the loss of an irreplaceable habitat, such as Ancient Woodlands or Lowland Fens.

TOE acts a biodiversity unit ‘broker’. TOE’s offsetting programme services include the promotion of project grants, processing applications, managing payments, supporting project delivery, inspecting outcomes against agreed management plans, maintaining records, and reporting to LPAs.

It is TOE’s role to secure the biodiversity enhancement for perpetuity (normally 30 years). Monitoring of the site and continuous dialogue with the landowners / managers of receptor sites focuses attention on biodiversity outcomes.

TOE’s standard process involves pooling deposited funds into a single pot for each district, from which project grants are drawn down on an ongoing basis. Enabling funds to be used strategically to better benefit biodiversity. TOE does not therefore match each incoming fund with a single corresponding offset site, unless by special arrangement.

TOE’s net gain services are designed to deliver offsetting requirements stipulated in planning decision notices. In general, we do not get involved at the pre-planning stage.

Off-site mitigation will be delivered within the same local planning authority area as the development. TOE ensures that where a certain habitat type has been lost, the same habitat type will be chosen on the receptor BNG site.

For over 20 years TOE has been cultivating productive relationships with local landowners, conservation bodies, estates, and district councils across the county. We adopt a strategic approach to find sites that will maximise the benefits for wildlife, nature, and the local community. By integrating these relationships with our continuous pipeline of projects, TOE is perfectly placed to match your needs.

Yes. Biodiversity Net Gain funding allocations may be matched with other net gain funding or other grant funding to support larger, more strategic projects.

Wherever possible, Biodiversity Net Gain funds may be banked in a ring-fenced fund for large-scale strategic habitat restoration and land purchase schemes to secure sites for long term biodiversity net gain. These are know as ‘Habitat Banks’.

A habitat bank represents an area of land where a notable increase in biodiversity is created. These banks can consist of diverse habitat types, for example grasslands, woodlands, wetlands, and rewilding sites. They offer an opportunity to generate funding for restoring nature at scale and ensuring its sustained care, while also serving as a channel for investors to endorse urban green spaces.

Biodiversity Net Gain is a legal requirement for developers to leave the environment in a better state than they found it. Through the UK's 2021 Environment Act, all new developments are required to offset any loss of biodiversity associated with their developments and to produce a 10% biodiversity net gain. Where on-site biodiversity net gain isn't possible, developers are required to find off-site areas to enhance biodiversity. TOE provides a service to developers by taking on the responsibility of providing and funding projects that will deliver the offsite biodiversity units required.

Biodiversity units refer to the output of the BNG Metric (i.e., 3 units of grassland costs £xxx’). Biodiversity credits or ‘statutory credits’ are provided by the Government as a last resort for developers who are unable to meet their on-site or off-site BNG requirements. These credits usually come at a significantly higher cost to developers than biodiversity units.