Environmental and sustainability consultant Temple has launched a new application to help AEC firms make decisions on development plans and meet new biodiversity net gain legislation. 

Biodiversity net gain (BNG) became mandatory on February 12 this year.  It makes sure that habitats for wildlife are left in a measurably better state than they were before the development.

Developers must deliver a BNG of 10%. This means a development will result in more or better quality natural habitat than there was before development.

Temple, has joined the Esri UK partner network as a Silver Partner. Esri UK is a global expert in the field GIS (Geographic Information System) technology.

The new partnership enables Temple to use Esri’s GIS  technology, combined with its environmental expertise to develop innovative new software solutions for clients.

The UKHab and BNG Survey App is the first application to be launched, to help AEC (architecture, engineering and construction) organisations make decisions on development plans and meet the new biodiversity net gain legislation.

Designed to simplify the processes involved in BNG assessments, the software streamlines the workflow from field data collection to in-office assessment and provides a real time BNG score.

The new app also enables the seamless use of existing UKHab surveys and conversion to BNG surveys. 

This means many users can take advantage of their current ecological processes and comply with the new legislation faster and more cost effectively.

Temple specialises in providing environment, ecology, planning and sustainability consultancy services on infrastructure projects across the UK. Customers include Network Rail, TfL and the Government of Jersey.

Mark Skelton, CEO at Temple, said: “The new partnership has allowed us to create a best-in-class solution to meet the increasing demand for BNG solutions and improve how users carry out biodiversity surveys.

“By combining our vast experience in ecology, environmental impact assessments and wider scientific understanding with established Esri tools, new digital workflows mean users can now manage a project’s impact on the landscape and comply with the new law in a highly accurate and efficient way.

“Becoming an Esri UK Silver Partner is a milestone in Temple’s 25-year history.

“Both organisations share the same ethos regarding sustainability and we are delighted to transition from a long-standing Esri customer to partner, moving from pure consultancy to providing software and services. 

“We look forward to working alongside Esri UK to accelerate sustainable action within the UK’s current and emerging regulatory environmental frameworks.”

Future plans include applications aimed at specific sectors and their roles in BNG, including rural landowners, local government planning authorities and land developers.

Craig Evendenhead of AEC at Esri UK, said:  “Temple’s new application is a robust offering, building on Esri’s proven technology so BNG can be both determined and delivered, ensuring environmental sustainability and compliance with the new legislation.”