Designing with Nature
How Urban Design Box Integrates Biodiversity Net Gain into Masterplanning
At Urban Design Box, we believe that great places are built not only for people—but for nature too. As an urban design and architecture company, we’re passionate about creating spaces that are inclusive, resilient, and environmentally responsible. That’s why Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an integral part of our approach to masterplanning and placemaking.
BNG is more than just a policy requirement—it’s a design philosophy that allows us to reconnect urban environments with the natural world. It helps us deliver places that support wildlife, enhance public wellbeing, and contribute meaningfully to the green infrastructure of our towns and cities.
What is Biodiversity Net Gain?
Biodiversity Net Gain is a planning approach that requires new developments to leave the natural environment in a better state than it was before. In England, it’s now a legal requirement for most developments to deliver at least 10% net gain in biodiversity, secured and managed for a minimum of 30 years.
For us at Urban Design Box, this presents an opportunity—not a constraint. By embedding biodiversity enhancements from the outset, we can ensure that every project not only meets its planning obligations but actively adds value—ecologically, socially, and visually.
Our Approach to BNG in Masterplanning
From the earliest stages of concept design, we work closely with ecologists, landscape architects, and planning consultants to ensure that BNG is central to our site strategies. This holistic approach allows us to align biodiversity goals with broader planning and community aspirations.
Some of the ways we implement BNG include:
Preserving and enhancing key habitats within and around development sites;
Designing green corridors and buffer zones that link habitats and promote wildlife movement;
Incorporating wildflower meadows, native planting schemes, and sustainable drainage systems (SuDS);
Maximising multifunctionality—ensuring that green infrastructure supports ecology, recreation, and wellbeing.
By approaching each site as a living landscape, we create opportunities for biodiversity to thrive alongside homes, schools, and public spaces.
The Value of BNG to Placemaking
BNG aligns perfectly with our wider commitment to sustainable, thoughtful placemaking. It improves ecological resilience, strengthens community identity, and provides tangible benefits like cleaner air, pollination, and urban cooling.
From a design perspective, it enriches the user experience—creating developments where people feel more connected to nature and enjoy enhanced wellbeing through high-quality, accessible green space.
We also make full use of Natural England’s Biodiversity Metric to measure and evidence the ecological impact of our proposals, supporting transparency and accountability in every project.
Collaboration and Innovation
At Urban Design Box, we know that delivering real biodiversity gains takes collaboration. We work across disciplines and alongside local communities, landowners, and stakeholders to create shared value through nature-led design.
Whether through on-site habitat creation or carefully selected off-site enhancements, we ensure our projects make a meaningful contribution to both local and national biodiversity targets.
Looking Forward
Biodiversity Net Gain is transforming the way we design and develop our towns and cities. For Urban Design Box, it represents an exciting evolution in our practice—one that blends innovation with responsibility, and creativity with care for the natural world.
By integrating BNG into every stage of our masterplanning process, we are helping to shape a more resilient, beautiful, and biodiverse future—one project at a time.
