Statutory biodiversity credit prices
The prices of statutory biodiversity credits from the date biodiversity net gain (BNG) becomes mandatory.
Applies to England
Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is mandatory from 12 February 2024.
This table gives the prices of statutory biodiversity credits.
Prices are based on the cost to create, maintain and monitor different habitat types. There is also a mark-up to prevent statutory credit prices undercutting the off-site market.
We will review prices every 6 months. Our review is to ensure prices are set high enough to not compete with the private off-site market, as well as being a feasible option for a developer to use as a last resort. We will announce any planned price changes in this guidance, giving at least 10 weeks’ notice.
Statutory credit prices are not guideline prices for off-site biodiversity units.
These prices do not include VAT. You will see VAT in the invoice for any statutory credit purchase.
You can buy fractions of a credit, if it is rounded to 2 decimal places. For example, 0.5 credits, or 3.76 credits.
Information about terms in the table of prices
‘Distinctiveness’ is a measure based on the type of habitat and its distinguishing features. It measures different ecological factors, such as:
- the rarity of the habitat
- species richness within a habitat
‘Broad’ and ‘specific’ habitat types are terms the biodiversity metric uses to describe different kinds of habitat.
‘Broad habitat type’ describes the general habitat, for example grassland or wetland.
‘Specific habitat type’ describes the habitat in more detail, for example traditional orchards or reedbeds.
The prices in the table are per credit. If you buy statutory biodiversity credits, a ‘spatial risk multiplier’ (SRM) will apply, which doubles the amount of statutory credits you need. The SRM applies to statutory credits to ensure they do not compete with the development of the off-site market and remain a last resort. You must buy 2 statutory credits for every 1 biodiversity unit you need to compensate for. The statutory biodiversity metric tool will automatically calculate this multiplication for you. The SRM is not included in the prices in the table.
For each habitat type in the table, you can see its ‘tier’. Statutory biodiversity credits are priced in tiers according to habitat type for area-based biodiversity units. There are separate prices for hedgerow and watercourse biodiversity units.
Area habitats
Low distinctiveness habitats
| Habitat distinctiveness | Broad habitat type | Specific habitat type | Price per credit | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | All | All | £42,000 | A1 |
Medium distinctiveness habitats
| Habitat distinctiveness | Broad habitat type | Specific habitat type | Price per credit | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medium | Heathland and shrub | All | £42,000 | A1 |
| Medium | Grassland | All | £42,000 | A1 |
| Medium | Individual trees | All | £42,000 | A1 |
| Medium | Urban | All | £42,000 | A1 |
| Medium | Cropland | All | £42,000 | A1 |
| Medium | Woodland and forest | All | £48,000 | A2 |
| Medium | Intertidal sediment | All | £48,000 | A2 |
| Medium | Lakes | Reservoirs | £125,000 | A4 |
| Medium | Lakes - ponds (non-priority habitat) | Ponds | £125,000 | A4 |
| Medium | Sparsely vegetated land | Other inland rock and scree | £125,000 | A4 |
High distinctiveness habitats
| Habitat distinctiveness | Broad habitat type | Specific habitat type | Price per credit | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | Wetland | Reedbeds | £42,000 | A1 |
| High | Grassland | Traditional orchards | £42,000 | A1 |
| High | Grassland | Lowland calcareous grassland | £48,000 | A2 |
| High | Grassland | Tall herb communities (H6430) | £48,000 | A2 |
| High | Grassland | Upland calcareous grassland | £48,000 | A2 |
| High | Heathland and shrub | Dunes with sea buckthorn | £48,000 | A2 |
| High | Heathland and shrub | Lowland heathland | £48,000 | A2 |
| High | Heathland and shrub | Upland heathland | £48,000 | A2 |
| High | Urban | Open mosaic habitats on previously developed land | £48,000 | A2 |
| High | Woodland and forest | Wet woodland | £66,000 | A3 |
| High | Woodland and forest | Felled | £66,000 | A3 |
| High | Woodland and forest | Upland birchwoods | £66,000 | A3 |
| High | Intertidal sediment | Littoral mud | £66,000 | A3 |
| High | Intertidal sediment | Littoral mixed sediments | £66,000 | A3 |
| High | Intertidal sediment | Littoral – biogenic reefs - mussels | £66,000 | A3 |
| High | Intertidal sediment | Littoral biogenic reefs - Sabellaria | £66,000 | A3 |
| High | Intertidal sediment | Features of littoral sediment | £66,000 | A3 |
| High | Intertidal sediment | Littoral muddy sand | £66,000 | A3 |
| High | Wetland mosaic | Floodplain wetland mosaic (CFGM) | £125,000 | A4 |
| High | Ponds | Ponds (priority habitat) | £125,000 | A4 |
| High | Ponds | Temporary lakes, ponds and pools | £125,000 | A4 |
| High | Coastal lagoons | Coastal lagoons | £125,000 | A4 |
| High | Rocky shore | High energy littoral rock | £125,000 | A4 |
| High | Rocky shore | Moderate energy littoral rock | £125,000 | A4 |
| High | Rocky shore | Low energy littoral rock | £125,000 | A4 |
| High | Rocky shore | Features of littoral rock | £125,000 | A4 |
| High | Coastal saltmarsh | Saltmarshes and saline reedbeds | £125,000 | A4 |
| High | Intertidal sediment | Littoral seagrass | £125,000 | A4 |
| High | Sparsely vegetated land | Coastal vegetated shingle | £125,000 | A4 |
| High | Sparsely vegetated land | Maritime cliff and slopes | £125,000 | A4 |
| High | Sparsely vegetated land | Inland rock outcrop and scree habitats | £125,000 | A4 |
| High | Woodland and forest | Upland mixed ashwoods | £125,000 | A4 |
| High | Woodland and forest | Native pine woodlands | £125,000 | A4 |
| High | Woodland and forest | Lowland mixed deciduous woodland | £125,000 | A4 |
| High | Woodland and forest | Lowland beech and yew woodland | £125,000 | A4 |
| High | Woodland and forest | Upland oakwood | £125,000 | A4 |
| High | Lakes | High alkalinity lakes | £650,000 | A5 |
| High | Lakes | Low alkalinity lakes | £650,000 | A5 |
| High | Lakes | Marl lakes | £650,000 | A5 |
| High | Lakes | Moderate alkalinity lakes | £650,000 | A5 |
| High | Lakes | Peat lakes | £650,000 | A5 |
Linear habitats
Hedgerow
| Habitat distinctiveness | Broad habitat type | Specific habitat type | Price per credit | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | Hedgerow | All | £44,000 | H |
Watercourses
| Habitat distinctiveness | Broad habitat type | Specific habitat type | Price per credit | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | All watercourses | All | £230,000 | W |
Give feedback
Give feedback on this guidance by completing a short survey.
Last updated 12 February 2024 + show all updates
-
Updated box at top of page to state that biodiversity net gain (BNG) is mandatory from 12 February 2024 and removed the 'draft guidance' label. Removed 'High, Sparsely vegetated land, Coastal sand dunes'.
-
Updated to confirm prices previously published as ‘indicative’, ahead of biodiversity net gain becoming mandatory. The table of prices has not changed. Added detail on price reviews.
-
Amended the 'watercourses' table to clarify that there is one tier and price for all types of watercourses. Added information about what we will spend the revenue from credit sales on. Clarified that we have set credit prices high, to ensure they do not compete with the development of the private market. Clarified that prices include all costs, apart from VAT.
-
Added an explanation of ‘broad’ and ‘specific’ habitat types to the section 'Information about terms in the table' and re-ordered the information in this section.
-
First published.