Belmont secures first offsite biodiversity gain in North Somerset
Deal News | Jan 23, 2025 | TLT
Law firm TLT has successfully secured a 30-year conservation covenant for their partner Belmont Estate, marking a significant achievement in biodiversity net gain (BNG) efforts in North Somerset. Belmont Estate is a regenerative organization dedicated to nature-recovery projects and their elevation to an offsite BNG provider allows crucial ecological restoration in the region. This significant legal milestone for Belmont will allow them to be formally recognized on National England’s Gain Site register, enhancing the availability of high-quality BNG units for developers. TLT has provided legal guidance to Belmont since the introduction of mandatory BNG requirements under the Environment Act 2024. The partnership led by TLT partners Katherine Evans and David Miller exemplifies TLT’s commitment to sustainability and community goals, further supported through a volunteering programme at Watercress Farm.
Sectors
- Legal Services
- Environmental Conservation
- Real Estate Development
Geography
- United Kingdom – The legal and environmental activities of TLT and Belmont Estate are based in the UK, with specific emphasis on North Somerset.
- North Somerset – Belmont Estate becomes the first offsite BNG provider in North Somerset, marking its geography-specific impact.
Industry
- Legal Services – TLT's involvement in advising and securing a conservation covenant represents the legal services industry.
- Environmental Conservation – Belmont Estate's focus on nature-recovery and biodiversity aligns with the environmental conservation industry.
- Real Estate Development – The provision of BNG units aligns with the real estate development industry's needs for sustainable practice compliance.
Financials
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont Estate | Target Company | Company | A regenerative organization focused on nature-recovery projects in the UK. |
| TLT | Legal Advisor | Company | A law firm providing legal services and guidance on biodiversity net gain and conservation covenants. |
| Katherine Evans | Partner at TLT | Person | Partner and head of planning at TLT, leading the legal team for Belmont Estate. |
| David Miller | Partner at TLT | Person | Partner in TLT's future energy team, involved in the conservation covenant project. |
| Henry Rossiter | Business Director at Belmont Estate | Person | Business Director who comments on the strategic importance of the conservation covenant for Belmont Estate. |