News & Insights

Open Mosaic Habitats (OMH) on previously developed land are easily overlooked, yet they appear on many brownfield sites and support some of the most diverse plant and invertebrate communities we see. They often look like rough or unmanaged ground, but the mix of bare earth, flower-rich areas, shallow pools and scattered scrub creates conditions that benefit a wide range of species .

These habitats have ‘high’ distinctiveness in the statutory BNG metric, and their status as a Habitat of Principal Importance means that any impacts need careful consideration. Finding a workable BNG solution can be difficult due to the limited supply of OMH units and the need for like-for-like replacement .

Our new guide highlights why early identification is vital. It also sets out the practical options. If you are working on a brownfield site and need clear guidance on OMH and its BNG implications, our ecology and landscape experts are here to help.

📗 Is this guide useful? Drop a like or comment below as we are launching further guides in 2026 and would love to try to centre them around answering your greatest challenges⁉️