Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an approach to new development that aims to leave nature in a measurably better state than it was found.
🌿 We have nature restoration schemes across Gloucestershire and are a trusted supplier of biodiversity net gain units for Tewkesbury, Stroud, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Cotswolds and Forest of Dean LPAs.
🌿 Gloucestershire Nature + Climate Fund (GNCF) was established by the Gloucestershire Local Nature Partnership, made up of 40 nature-based organisations including representatives of Local Planning Authorities
🌿 All of our nature restoration schemes are selected from within the Gloucestershire nature recovery network and align with the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, so our units punch well above their weight, connecting and expanding existing priority habitats
🌿 We’re a not-for-profit. No investors and no shareholders to pay back. Any money we make, surplus to business running costs, will go into a trust for further nature recovery projects
🌿 GNCF walk the land, co-design the nature restoration schemes and support landowners directly. We don’t lease land. Landowners are paid directly from unit sales to ensure a fair reward, so they can be excellent environmental stewards for the next thirty years+
Contact us to find out more: enquiries@glosncf.com
We can support your business requirements with risk-free, off-site credits that benefit the local area
For landowners in Gloucestershire who want to diversify their income, reduce climate impacts and enhance nature on their estate
The GNCF will ensure that the Planning Authority is ‘offsite BNG ready’ with suitable receptor sites prepared for winter 2023
Developers have a simple risk-free way of meeting the biodiversity net gain challenge
The right projects for the right places are connected
Landowners diversify their income and are able to deliver environmental improvements
Nature restoration is delivered strategically across Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire’s natural environment provides the local economy with benefits of half a billion pounds per year in free services[1] such as the reduction of flooding, clean drinking water, reduced air pollution and recreation. The GNCF will keep these benefits in Gloucestershire where they contribute to the local economy and the wellbeing of residents.
[1] Environment Agency Natural Capital Register and Account Tool V.1 (2021)
Mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain legislation came into place in February 2024 and is now a general condition of all Town and Country Planning Act developments. This means that every new development over 25m2 (unless exempt) is required to demonstrate that it is able to create a biodiversity net gain of at least 10%. The required habitat creation or enhancement should take place on the development site where possible or offsite, by securing units from a registered offsite BNG scheme. Developments will have to show how the biodiversity net gains will be achieved to obtain planning permission.
Biodiversity Net Gain is one of the biggest changes to planning regulations in decades and its rules are complex. The Gloucestershire Nature and Climate Fund (GNCF) is a not-for-profit organisation established to support Developers, Landowners and Local Planning Authorities through the process and provide offsite biodiversity net gain units.
How can GNCF can help?
The GNCF was established by the Gloucestershire Local Nature Partnership (GLNP) and the GFirst Local Enterprise Partnership. The GLNP is backed by Gloucestershire’s Local Authorities who fund and partner the initiative, as well as around 40 nature-based bodies from the county. The GNCF works to ensure that nature is replaced strategically across the county according to best ecological evidence. The GNCF will administer funds from BNG sales to support the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, enable improvement of green spaces within Gloucestershire’s urban centres and restore nature at a larger scale in rural areas. Find out more about us.
By Sarah Wood | 11th September 2026 A major new countywide initiative to help communities protect threatened green spaces and wildlife sites is being launched following a £1 million
“There are many companies that claim to understand the complexities of delivering BNG and all too frequently over embellish their capabilities. However, we found Gloucestershire Nature and Climate Fund (GNCF)
“We had a fantastic experience working with Gloucestershire Nature and Climate Fund to secure off-site BNG credits for one of our projects. Rachel Lenane’s expertise in BNG was invaluable –
By Sarah Wood | 16th April 2026 A new nature recovery site in the north Cotswolds – the first in Gloucestershire to be funded through biodiversity net gain payments
GNCF was created by the Gloucestershire Local Nature Partnership – LNPs all over the country have coalesced in the new all parliamentary party group to support nature recovery in the
The Gloucestershire Nature and Climate Fund is not currently in a position to provide sales of less than 1 biodiversity unit, due to the associated legal and administration costs for
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