Nature
Our goal is to create a biodiversity net gain and make a measurable contribution to the natural environment on every development.
Our Approach
Biodiversity Net Gain
Deliver a minimum 10% gain for every new development
Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is an approach to development that aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than it was beforehand. We are proud to have led the industry on BNG and laid the path for it to become a national legal requirement for all developments.
Since we became the first homebuilder to set a commitment to achieve a biodiversity net gain on every site back in 2017, we've calculated biodiversity net gain in the master planning of more than 55 sites, which combined will create more than 585 acres of new or measurably improved natural habitats, in addition to a 155 acre country park at Milton Keynes.
We deliver a minimum 10% net gain on every site, regardless of its former use, and use specialist ecologists to ensure that our approach is location-specific at each site and fits within local nature strategies.
In March 2023 we were delighted to co-host a Biodiversity Conference with Natural England and the Local Government Association which was attended by over 500 delegates. The Conference aimed to prepare development and local authority professionals for the BNG requirements and to generate debate around the challenges and opportunities associated.
We are now focusing on working closely with our managing agents and landscaping teams to ensure that they have the skills to maintain the habitats that we create in the long term.
Biodiversity Net Gain in Action
Announced on 12 February 2024, all major homebuilding projects are now required to deliver a biodiversity net gain as part of Government plans to restore the natural environment.
This video explores just a few of Berkeley Group’s BNG sites and the many benefits they offer local communities and wildlife.
Environmental Net Gain
Considering water, flooding and air quality
We recognise that construction can have an environmental impact beyond the perceptible changes to nature and habitats, such as the effect on air quality.
We have voluntarily committed to expanding on our established approach to enhancing nature, so that we deliver an even more valuable and holistic contribution to the environment on every site. We have used specialist support to identify metrics which we will now use to demonstrate net gain across other topics including soil health, water resources, flood resilience and air quality.
In 2022 we partnered with Thames Water to explore the concept of water neutrality and how it can be applied to our sites. At Royal Exchange in Kingston, 45,000 litres per day has been offset through the retrofit of local homes, schools and businesses with new water saving devices and measures. Read about our findings in the Thames Water report.
Highlights
We've completed over 55 biodiversity net gain strategies to date, in addition to plans for a country park at Milton Keynes
Our biodiversity net gain sites are set to create more than 585 acres of new or improved natural habitats
Royal Exchange in Kingston will be our first development to deliver water neutrality
Awards, Accreditations & Partnerships
Campaign Supporter
Get Nature Positive
Environment Award
Better Society Awards 2024
Conservation Award
National Sustainability Awards
Latest News
Louise Clarke joins “UK’s Environmental Power List”
Louise Clarke, Group Head of Sustainability at Berkeley Group, has been named as one of the top 100 UK environmental professionals who have made the greatest impact in the past two years.
Berkeley Group and Natural England Partner for BNG Workshops
The partners are upskilling organisations to deliver BNG on site.
Berkeley and Thames Water Win National Award for Water Neutrality
Berkeley Group and Thames Water made a big splash at the 2023 National Sustainability Awards as they claimed the Water Reduction Award for their pioneering partnership at Royal Exchange, Kingston upon Thames.
Rob Perrins: Let’s Bring Nature Back to Our Towns and Cities
Berkeley Group were delighted to sponsor the fascinating Create Streets Greening-Up report, launched last week.
Biodiversity Net Gain at Kidbrooke Village
Watch this video exploring the results of our very first biodiversity net gain project at Kidbrooke Village which has so far delivered a 100% biodiversity net gain.
500+ Professionals Join Cross-Sector Conference Supporting Biodiversity Net Gain
More than 500 delegates from across the public, private and voluntary sectors took part in a major conference exploring biodiversity net gain, which becomes mandatory on many homebuilding projects later this year.
Further Information
Enhancing Nature
We consider net gain from the early design stages, to make sure that we are retaining and creating the right habitats. To help our design teams achieve this we have developed The Nine Concepts to inform our approach and we work with our ecologists, landscape architects and Local Wildlife Trusts to make this happen.
Making Space for Nature
Our Vision 2030: 2024 Progress Update
This extract from the Berkeley Group’s 2024 Annual Report provides an update on progress towards meeting our targets across each of our ten strategic priorities and details highlights for the period May 2023 to April 2024.
Our Vision 2030
