Statutory Biodiversity Credit Prices

Overview

• Prices reflect costs for creating, maintaining, and monitoring various habitat types.
• Includes a mark-up to avoid undercutting the off-site market.
• Prices reviewed every 6 months to not compete with private markets and remain a last-resort option for developers.
• Announcements of price changes will be given at least 10 weeks in advance.
• Prices exclude VAT; VAT is included in invoices.
• Fractions of a credit (rounded to 2 decimal places) can be bought.

Pricing Terms

Distinctiveness

• Measures habitat rarity and species richness.

Types of Habitats

• Broad Habitat Type: General categories like grassland or wetland.
• Specific Habitat Type: Detailed categories like traditional orchards or reedbeds.

Spatial Risk Multiplier (SRM)

• Applies to statutory credits to ensure they are a last resort.
• Doubles the number of credits needed (2 statutory credits for every 1 biodiversity unit).

Area Habitats Pricing

Low Distinctiveness

• All habitat types priced at £42,000 (Tier A1).

Medium Distinctiveness

• Priced between £42,000 to £125,000, covering various types like Heathland, Grassland, and Lakes.

High Distinctiveness

• Priced from £42,000 to £650,000, includes diverse habitats such as Wetland, Grassland, and Lakes.

Linear Habitats Pricing

Hedgerow

• Priced at £44,000 across various distinctiveness levels (Tier H).

Watercourses

• Priced at £230,000 for all distinctiveness levels (Tier W).

Feedback

• Feedback can be given through a short survey.

Updates

• Feb 12, 2024: BNG mandatory from this date; certain habitats removed.
• Nov 29, 2023: Prices confirmed ahead of BNG becoming mandatory.
• Aug 11, 2023: Clarified pricing and revenue usage.
• Aug 2, 2023: Explained broad and specific habitat types.
• Jul 27, 2023: First publication.