Biodiversity Net Gain Plan for Planning Applications
A biodiversity net gain plan (BGP) is the document that shows your scheme will deliver at least 10% net biodiversity gain and how that gain will be secured, managed and monitored for 30 years. We prepare planner-ready BGPs for developers, architects, planners and housebuilders across England, aligning the plan with the statutory biodiversity metric, UKHab mapping and your design. Whether you are at outline planning permission stage or discharging a biodiversity net gain planning condition, our approach keeps the biodiversity net gain planning process clear, auditable and timely.
You can also drop us an email at hello@acp-consultants.com and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours to help with your inquiry!
We follow a simple, transparent process to ensure your project runs smoothly from the very first contact to the final report. Our approach is designed to provide you with clarity at every step, so you’re fully informed and confident in moving forward.
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Step 1: Request a Quote
Fill out our quick quote form or call us, and our team will provide a free, no-obligation quote, outlining the services tailored to your needs.
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Step 2: Confirm Your Booking
Once you approve the quote, simply return the booking form. We’ll schedule your survey and ensure all the details are taken care of.
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Step 3: Receive Your Report
After your survey is completed and payment is received, we’ll promptly issue your survey report, ensuring you get the results as quickly as possible.
What is a biodiversity net gain plan (BGP) and when is it required?
A biodiversity net gain plan sets out the evidence that your proposal achieves the required uplift in biodiversity units and explains how those units will be delivered and kept in favourable condition over the long term. The plan pulls together:
- Your UKHab baseline survey and mapping
- The completed metric workbook (SBM modules, or SSM where eligible)
- On-site nature-based solutions and green infrastructure development measures
- Any off-site route or purchase of units (and why)
- The 30-year legal securing route (s106 or conservation covenant)
- Roles, responsibilities, monitoring and reporting
You submit the biodiversity net gain plan after permission is granted and before starting development. For phased schemes, you may provide an overall plan and a plan for each phase. At outline stage, we provide an indicative route to the 10% target and then finalise the plan at reserved matters/condition discharge. This ensures clarity for case officers and avoids delays at validation.

What planning authorities expect in a BGP
Local planning authorities (LPAs) look for a transparent audit trail from baseline to delivery:
- UKHab polygons with target notes, photos and assumptions
- A version-controlled metric workbook showing pre-development and post-development units
- Drawings that clearly depict pre- and post-habitat proposals
- A management schedule aligned to the Habitat Management & Monitoring Plan (HMMP)
- Confirmation of the 30-year securing route and any off-site unit registration
- Clear cross-references if a DEFRA biodiversity gain plan form is requested
Our documents are structured for quick checking by planning officers, so queries are focused and decisions are timely.
Planning & compliance essentials
Policy context and practice
Your biodiversity net gain plan must demonstrate the 10% uplift, show that avoid minimise restore offset has been applied, and confirm how the 30-year management will be secured. We align content to the latest planning practice guidance on biodiversity net gain, including local validation requirements and emerging practice across councils
Small sites and exemptions
Some projects qualify to use the Small Sites Metric (SSM). Eligibility depends on site size and ecological risk; certain conditions (e.g., irreplaceable habitats, complex mosaics, off-site units or credits) require the Statutory Biodiversity Metric (SBM) instead. We complete an upfront eligibility check and switch calmly to SBM where necessary so your submission remains compliant.
Outline and reserved matters
For biodiversity net gain outline planning permission, we evidence a credible pathway to 10% with an indicative baseline and strategy. The fully specified plan follows at reserved matters/condition discharge when layouts and planting schedules are fixed.
Legal securing
All gains must be secured for 30 years via a Section 106 agreement or conservation covenant. We prepare the securing schedule, responsibilities and monitoring triggers, and align them with your HMMP and mitigation strategy.
Local policy and London specifics
Where relevant, we fold in Biodiversity Net Gain London Plan expectations, borough guidance and design codes so your plan speaks the same language as your LPA. We also keep an eye on the planning and infrastructure bill biodiversity net gain discussions to ensure your submission notes stay future-proof.
In the past year, we’ve delivered over 750 audit-ready reports supporting 400+ projects for developers, planners, and architects nationwide. We put quality over quantity and build lasting relationships based on trust, ensuring your planning applications are backed by robust evidence and delivered on time.
You can also drop us an email at hello@acp-consultants.com and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours to help with your inquiry!
Our process to produce your biodiversity net gain plan
Discovery & eligibility
We review your red-line boundary, proposals and constraints, including any environmental impact assessment (EIA) triggers. If priority or irreplaceable habitats are likely, or if off-site units may be required, we plan for SBM from the outset. This is where we also confirm whether SSM is permissible for genuinely small, straightforward schemes.
UKHab baseline & evidence
Our ecologists undertake UKHab mapping and collect condition data, supported by photos and target notes. This dataset becomes the defensible foundation for the metric (SBM/SSM) and makes it easy to update if designs evolve. Solid baseline evidence also supports wildlife conservation strategies on and around the site.
Metric calculation (SBM or SSM)
We run the statutory biodiversity metric area, hedgerow and watercourse modules for SBM, or the simplified SSM where eligible. The output shows your pre-development and post-development units and highlights where shortfalls remain, if any. We explain assumptions, distinctiveness and condition clearly to satisfy case officer checks.
Design review & nature-based solutions
Meeting 10% rarely happens by spreadsheet alone. We work with your design team to integrate nature-based solutions that also advance sustainable land use planning and climate change resilience planning: species-rich grassland, native hedgerows, woodland edge, ponds and swales, rain gardens, green roofs and street-tree planting. These are packaged as green infrastructure development that provides ecological uplift alongside drainage, shading and amenity benefits. Where appropriate, we advise on off-site opportunities, including parcels suitable for regenerative agriculture practices that deliver measurable habitat creation and longer-term resilience.
Drafting the biodiversity net gain plan
We compile the biodiversity net gain plan in a structure that mirrors LPA validation lists. The narrative explains how the 10% uplift is met, sets out the mitigation hierarchy decisions, and includes a cross-reference schedule tying every commitment to the metric, drawings and the HMMP. Where the council requests it, we also prepare the DEFRA biodiversity gain plan form and ensure figures match exactly.
Legal securing, HMMP and submission
We provide 30-year management tasks, monitoring intervals and KPIs; identify the responsible party; and set out reporting lines. We draft the securing schedule for s106 or conservation covenant, including triggers and enforcement notes. If off-site units are used, we reference allocation details and show how responsibilities transfer to the land manager. The submission pack is then uploaded with a short covering note so validation and determination are straightforward.
What you get (deliverables)
Commissioning ACP for your biodiversity net gain plan means you receive a complete, planner-ready pack of documents that meets statutory requirements and minimises delays. Each element is prepared by qualified ecologists and tailored to your local planning authority’s validation list.
Biodiversity Net Gain Plan Report
Delivered as a professionally formatted PDF, the report sets out the baseline, statutory biodiversity metric results, and the route to achieving the 10% uplift. It includes clear cross-references, explanatory text and a commitments schedule so planning officers can trace every unit from baseline to post-development delivery.
Metric Workbook (SBM or SSM)
We provide a version-controlled Excel file of the Statutory Biodiversity Metric (or Small Sites Metric if eligible). Assumptions, distinctiveness and condition scores are clearly documented, making the calculation transparent and auditable. LPAs and consultees can follow the logic without needing to query every cell.
UKHab Maps
Baseline and proposed habitat maps are provided as PDFs for submission and, where available, GIS shapefiles for design integration. Polygons, target notes and overlays show exactly where habitats are located and how they will change, reducing back-and-forth with case officers.
Habitat Management & Monitoring Plan (HMMP) Inputs
Your plan includes a 30-year management schedule, tasks, budgets and key performance indicators. These inputs form the backbone of a compliant HMMP, giving LPAs confidence that habitats will be delivered and maintained in line with policy.
Legal Securing Pack
We supply the wording and responsibilities needed for a Section 106 agreement or conservation covenant. This shortens legal drafting time and ensures your scheme meets the statutory requirement for securing biodiversity net gain for 30 years.
Submission Guidance
To reduce the risk of validation issues, we provide guidance for LPA portal uploads if needed by the clients and the official DEFRA biodiversity gain plan form, where required. This ensures figures are consistent across documents and helps the council progress the submission efficiently. While the statutory determination period is 8 weeks, the actual timeline depends on your local authority; our clear documentation is designed to support smooth validation and minimise delays.
Deliverables at a glance
Deliverable | Inclusions | Benefit |
Biodiversity Net Gain Plan | Evidence summary, uplift route, commitments (PDF) | Clear, auditable determination |
Metric Workbook (SBM/SSM) | Pre/post units, assumptions, version log (Excel) | Transparent calculation officers trust |
UKHab Mapping | Polygons, target notes, overlays (PDF + optional GIS) | Reduces queries; integrates with design |
HMMP Inputs | 30-year tasks, KPIs, budgets | Compliance and enforceability |
Legal Securing Pack | s106/covenant notes, responsibilities | Faster legal drafting and sign-off |
Submission Guidance | DEFRA/LPA checklist | Clearer validation and faster progression through the statutory 8-week window (subject to LPA timescales) |
Timelines & costs
For straightforward sites, such as a single plot or a small multi-unit scheme, we can typically deliver a biodiversity net gain plan within 5–10 working days of receiving your drawings and survey access.
Our pricing for a simple plan starts from £399 + VAT. Final costs depend on factors such as:
- the location of the site and any specific LPA validation requirements
- the scale of the development and whether multiple parcels are involved
- the complexity of habitats on site (e.g. irreplaceable or priority habitats)
- whether the scheme requires off-site units or integration with wider landscape design
- the level of detail needed in supporting documents such as the HMMP or legal securing notes
For larger or more complex projects, for example where detailed landscaping, multiple stakeholders or off-site parcels are involved, we set out a milestone plan so that planners, designers and solicitors can work in step with our outputs.
We provide fixed-fee quotes once we’ve reviewed your red-line boundary, constraints and the appropriate metric route (SBM or SSM). This ensures you know exactly what is included, with no hidden extras.
While LPAs usually aim to determine biodiversity gain plans within 8 weeks, the actual timeline depends on the authority. Our clear, planner-ready documentation is designed to support smooth validation and faster progression through the statutory process.
Why choose ACP for your biodiversity net gain plan
- Planner-ready: Written for case officers with the exact evidence they need, in the order they expect.
- Metric rigour: UKHab baselines and SBM/SSM workbooks built to withstand scrutiny.
- Compliance first: Up-to-date biodiversity net gain planning practice guidance, planning biodiversity net gain requirements and local validation lists.
- Joined-up delivery: Baseline → Metric → biodiversity net gain plan → HMMP → monitoring.
- Local nuance: Experience with borough interpretations, including biodiversity net gain london plan context and region-specific notes.
Services & process at a glance
- Habitat baseline assessment using UKHab and site photos.
- Statutory biodiversity metric (SBM) or Small Sites Metric (SSM), eligibility confirmed first.
- Design integration of nature-based solutions and green infrastructure development.
- Biodiversity net gain plan drafting, with optional DEFRA form completion.
- Legal securing schedules (s106/conservation covenant) and environmental sustainability practices embedded.
- HMMP authoring with KPIs, monitoring and reporting.
- Submission support and response to LPA queries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Biodiversity Gain Plans (BGPs)
A Biodiversity Gain Plan (BGP) is the formal document required under the Environment Act 2021 to demonstrate how a development will achieve the mandatory 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). It provides detailed evidence of the pre- and post-development habitat calculations, enhancement measures, and monitoring commitments. This FAQ section answers the most common questions about when and how to prepare a BGP, what information local planning authorities expect, and how it interacts with the Biodiversity Metric, Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP), and Biodiversity Gain Site registration process. Whether you are submitting a full application or a post-permission condition, these FAQs will help you understand the structure, timing, and compliance expectations of a robust Biodiversity Gain Plan, ensuring your project aligns with statutory BNG guidance and Natural England validation standards.
What’s the difference between a biodiversity net gain plan and the DEFRA biodiversity gain plan form?
Your biodiversity net gain plan is the full evidence report with UKHab mapping, statutory metric outputs, and long-term management proposals. It explains how your scheme will meet the 10% requirement and how gains will be secured for 30 years. The DEFRA biodiversity gain plan form is a shorter, standardised template that some LPAs require in addition, usually after consent and before commencement. We prepare both documents together and ensure figures are consistent so there is no risk of contradiction.
When should I prepare the BGP at outline?
At outline planning permission, the biodiversity net gain plan is usually indicative. It shows the likely baseline units, explains how design could deliver the 10% uplift, and highlights any risks or dependencies. This gives the council confidence in the principle of the scheme. The fully detailed BGP is then provided at reserved matters or condition discharge, when landscaping, planting schedules and management details are fixed.
How do SSM and SBM fit into the plan?
If your site qualifies for the Small Sites Metric (SSM), and there are no complex habitats, we can use this simplified route. Most other developments require the Statutory Biodiversity Metric (SBM). If site conditions change for example if priority or irreplaceable habitats are found we will switch to SBM to keep your submission valid. This flexibility ensures the biodiversity net gain plan remains compliant at every stage.
Can I use off-site units or statutory credits?
Yes. The mitigation hierarchy requires that you maximise on-site habitat creation first. If you still cannot achieve the 10% uplift, you may secure off-site units through registered land or, as a last resort, purchase statutory biodiversity credits. Your biodiversity net gain plan must set out clearly how off-site or credit routes will be secured, monitored and reported for 30 years.
How long does the LPA take to decide the BGP?
By law, LPAs aim to determine the biodiversity gain plan within 8 weeks of submission. However, the timeline can vary depending on council workload. A clear, cross-referenced pack with consistent metric outputs and legal securing notes helps reduce back-and-forth, meaning your plan is more likely to be approved within the statutory window.
Does the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) offer helpful templates?
Yes. The Planning Advisory Service provides model wording for conditions and legal agreements linked to biodiversity net gain. We align your securing schedule and HMMP with these national templates, making it easier for local authorities and solicitors to approve the legal agreements that underpin your biodiversity net gain plan.
What varies by location, especially in London?
Local authorities can interpret national policy differently. In London, boroughs often emphasise urban greening, multifunctional landscapes and biodiversity action plans. Elsewhere, rural authorities may prioritise hedgerows, rivers or farmland habitats. We tailor every biodiversity net gain plan to the local validation list, regional biodiversity strategies and specific biodiversity net gain London Plan requirements.
Will policy changes affect my submission?
The biodiversity net gain framework is still evolving. Updates to the planning practice guidance, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, or Natural England’s metric can change what councils expect. We monitor these developments and update your biodiversity net gain plan so it remains fully compliant and defensible, even if policy shifts during your application.
Government Guidance and Statutory References
- Understanding biodiversity net gain. Guidance on what BNG is and how it affects land managers, developers and local planning authorities. Defra.
- Statutory framework & planning condition – Biodiversity Net Gain under Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990; statutory regime explained in Planning Practice Guidance (GOV.UK).
- Biodiversity Gain Plan – Must be approved before commencement; Local Planning Authority decision normally within 8 weeks. See Biodiversity Net Gain Guidance (GOV.UK).
- Statutory biodiversity metric – How units are calculated, modules, factors, and guidance on early use. Statutory Metric and User Guide (GOV.UK).
- Condition Sheets & Small Sites Metric (SSM) – Official metric tools and guidance sheets. BNG Metric Tools (GOV.UK).
- Exemptions & de minimis thresholds – Householder, small self-build, and very small impacts where no priority habitat is affected. Exemptions Guidance (GOV.UK) and Defra Environment Blog.
- Off-site register & fee – Natural England guidance on registering biodiversity gain sites, with the current £639 registration fee. Register a Biodiversity Gain Site (GOV.UK).
- NSIPs timing – Government proposals indicate that BNG will apply to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) from May 2026, pending final regulations. Defra Consultation (GOV.UK).
- Creating a Habitat Management & Monitoring Plan (HMMP) – GOV.UK guidance on how to prepare HMMPs, including monitoring and reporting requirements. HMMP Guidance (GOV.UK).
- Natural England HMMP Template (JP058) – Official template, checklist, and monitoring report tools for Habitat Management & Monitoring Plans. Natural England Publications.
- Statutory Biodiversity Metric User Guide (July 2025) – Full guidance on how the statutory metric should be applied, including trading rules and worked examples. User Guide PDF.
- Metric Supporting Documents (JP039) – Includes GIS templates, data standards, and case studies for applying the statutory metric. Natural England Publications.
- Statutory Biodiversity metric user guide.
- Small Site Matric Guidance.
Other Supporting References (Quick Links)
- BNG in Practice Report (2025) – Case studies showing how BNG is being delivered in real projects. Institute of Environmental Sciences.
- Biodiversity Net Gain – Principles and Guidance for UK Construction and Developments. Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.
- BNG Research Briefing – This post note outlines the mandatory biodiversity net gain policy introduced in England in 2024 and the risks and challenges for delivering its objectives. UK Parliament.
- Biodiversity net gain: where to start. Natural England.
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Next Steps
Ready to commission your biodiversity net gain plan?
Send us your site boundary, layout and landscaping strategy. We’ll confirm the metric route (SSM/SBM), produce the UKHab baseline, compile the biodiversity net gain plan and HMMP inputs, and prepare your submission so the biodiversity net gain planning condition can be discharged smoothly.
Locations & policy variants
We provide biodiversity net gain plan services across England, tailored to the requirements of each local planning authority. Every plan is aligned with the national framework, while also reflecting local biodiversity action plans and council validation lists.
In London, we prepare biodiversity net gain plans that meet the Biodiversity Net Gain London Plan and borough-level guidance, covering all 32 boroughs and the City of London. We also serve all surrounding counties in the South East, including Oxfordshire, Surrey, East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Hampshire.
Across the East of England, we deliver plans in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. In the South West, we cover Wiltshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.
Our work in the Midlands includes Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, and the West Midlands county.
In the North of England, we prepare biodiversity net gain plans across Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Yorkshire (North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire), Cumbria, County Durham and Tyne and Wear.
Wherever your development is located, ACP ensures your biodiversity net gain plan meets statutory law, supports sustainable land use, and satisfies your local planning authority’s requirements.
Locations summary
We deliver biodiversity net gain plan services across England, including:
- London & South East: Oxfordshire, Surrey, East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hampshire
- East of England: Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk
- South West: Wiltshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall
- Midlands: Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, West Midlands
- North of England: Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, Cumbria, County Durham, Tyne and Wear
Ask us for local validation notes and submission timings for your LPA.
Explore Related Biodiversity Net Gain Resources
The Biodiversity Gain Plan (BGP) is the central document required to demonstrate how a development achieves Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). To understand how your plan integrates into the wider process, start with the Biodiversity Net Gain Overview and our detailed BNG Legislation & Guidance explaining the statutory basis for BNG under the Environment Act 2021.
Before preparing your BGP, learn how to quantify ecological changes using the Statutory Biodiversity Metric 4.0 or Small Sites Metric (SSM). Supporting documentation such as the Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP) ensures that your commitments are clearly maintained after planning approval.
For practical tools, visit our BNG Templates & Downloads and use the BNG Monitoring Fee Calculator to estimate delivery costs. Developers can also explore Off-Site Biodiversity Units and Conservation Covenants vs Section 106 Agreements to secure long-term habitat protection. For examples of successful plans, see our BNG Case Studies & Portfolio.
You can also drop us an email at hello@acp-consultants.com and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours to help with your inquiry!
- Last Updated:
- October 2025
Disclaimer: Our content is prepared by ACP Consultants’ in-house specialists and is based on current guidance, standards, and best practice in environmental consultancy. While we make every effort to keep information accurate and up to date, it is provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice on specific projects. Planning authorities retain final decision-making powers, and requirements may vary between local authorities and over time. ACP Consultants accepts no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this content without obtaining tailored advice for your project.