Collaborate with us as a Responsible Body
What does a Responsible Body do?
Arcadian Ecology & Consulting, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, was appointed as a Responsible Body by Defra in May 2025. This allows us to enter into legally-binding ‘conservation covenants’ with landowners and developers, ensuring long-term protection of land for nature conservation.
Conservation covenants help deliver Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), a planning policy requiring developers to enhance natural habitats by at least 10%, either on-site or elsewhere.
As a Responsible Body, our role includes:
- Establishing covenants that outline habitat improvements for net biodiversity gain
- Monitoring restoration efforts to ensure compliance
- Enforcing agreements if breaches occur
What are the benefits of Conservation Covenants?
Conservation covenants offer a faster, more flexible alternative to Section 106 agreements for securing biodiversity gain sites. They save time compared to planning conditions set by local authorities and allow land to be protected for nature without requiring purchase. Conservation covenants ensure long-term conservation, as the commitments apply to both current and future landowners, safeguarding the land’s biodiversity across generations.
If you'd like to enquire about working with us as a Responsible Body, please complete the form below.