OUR STORY
A MOVEMENT TO RESTORE THE NATURAL WORLD.
Deep Roots is a movement of people, brought together by a shared commitment to restoring the natural world and strengthening the landscapes we depend on. We work at the intersection of nature restoration, climate action, and social connection creating environments where ecological recovery and animal wellbeing thrive side by side. Through thoughtful land stewardship and close collaboration with local partners, we help ecosystems recover, landscapes reconnect, and communities rediscover their relationship with nature. From regenerating habitats and supporting climate-positive initiatives to creating shared experiences that bring people closer to the natural world, Deep Roots exists to deliver lasting, meaningful change.Our belief is simple: when people feel connected to nature, they care more deeply for it. And when that care becomes action, it shapes healthier landscapes, stronger communities, and a more resilient future for everyone.
ABOUT US
NATURE RECOVERY STARTS FROM THE GROUND UP
Deep Roots is a regenerative business working at the intersection of land, livelihood and the living world and we believe the two great challenges of our age, climate breakdown and biodiversity loss, can only be answered by changing the way we live with nature.
"Restoring Landscapes for a Wilder Future"
Deep Roots works to regenerate habitats, reconnect ecosystems, and restore balance between people and nature
WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN?
In the UK, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is now a mandatory requirement under the Environment Act 2021, requiring developments to deliver a minimum 10% net increase in biodiversity post-development. This uplift is calculated using recognised metrics that assess habitat condition and distinctiveness, ensuring that biodiversity outcomes are measurable and transparent.
​
Developers must follow the mitigation hierarchy, prioritising the avoidance and minimisation of ecological harm wherever possible. Where impacts cannot be fully mitigated within the site boundary, biodiversity losses can be compensated for through habitat enhancement, restoration or creation either on-site or off-site. Off-site delivery is achieved through the purchase of BNG Units, which are categorised by habitat type and incentivised to be located within the same Local Planning Authority as the development. As availability varies geographically, unit prices can differ significantly and, in some cases, account for up to 12% of a project’s Gross Development Value (GDV).
​
Effective delivery of BNG requires careful upfront planning, robust legal and monitoring arrangements, and long-term management to ensure biodiversity gains are sustained for at least 30 years. When implemented well, BNG not only supports planning compliance but also strengthens ecological networks, contributes to national environmental targets, and ensures that new development delivers lasting positive outcomes for local biodiversity and ecosystem health.
​
Deep Roots are Specialist BNG providers and play a key role in simplifying delivery by offering ready-to-deploy habitat solutions, clear legal agreements, and long-term management frameworks. By transferring delivery and monitoring responsibilities, developers can achieve compliance with greater certainty, reduce administrative burden, and maintain focus on core development objectives while ensuring biodiversity gains are secured and maintained over the required lifespan.
WHAT IS NUTRIENT NEUTRALITY?
Nutrient Neutrality is a planning requirement designed to ensure that new developments do not increase the amount of nutrients entering local watercourses and sensitive habitats. Excess nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, can cause significant harm to rivers, and protected ecological sites by promoting algal growth and reducing water quality.
​
Where a proposed development would result in an increase in nutrient loading, this impact must be fully mitigated to achieve “nutrient neutrality.” Mitigation can be delivered either on-site or off-site and typically involves reducing nutrient inputs from alternative sources within the same catchment. This may include upgrading wastewater or drainage infrastructure, delivering nature-based solutions such as buffer strips that naturally filter water, or funding the cessation or reduction of nutrient-intensive land uses.
​
Deep Roots develops, finances, and delivers Nutrient Neutrality projects and provides offset credits to developers to support planning compliance. In many catchments, the availability of land and suitable projects capable of generating Nutrient Neutrality credits is extremely limited, which has led to a constrained market and significantly elevated credit prices. Unlike Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), there is currently no statutory Nutrient Neutrality credit scheme, and credits are secured through bespoke, catchment-specific solutions.
​
Where developers are unable to secure appropriate Nutrient Neutrality offset credits, planning permission is frequently refused or delayed. In addition, a number of developments that obtained planning consent before Nutrient Neutrality requirements were fully embedded in the planning system are now affected by these rules and may be unable to commence construction or lawfully occupy completed buildings without first demonstrating Nutrient Neutrality compliance.
​
Deep Roots has phosphate credits available for immediate purchase and allocation now for both the River Brue Catchment Area and River Parrett Catchment Area. The process is very straightforward and enables planning approvals for development sites whilst ensuring compliance with environmental requirements.
