Biodiversity net gain assessments for planning
Need a BNG assessment or habitat survey for your planning project? Our Biodiversity Net Gain consultants scope the habitat baseline, biodiversity metric calculations and reporting around your site, proposal and planning stage.
Unsure whether BNG applies? Send your red-line plan and planning details so we can review the appropriate route.
Speak to ACP: 0330 236 7329 · hello@acp-consultants.com
Planning support across England
We support planning projects across England, including Greater London and the surrounding counties. Send your project postcode and planning requirement so we can confirm the appropriate scope, availability, site-visit arrangements and any travel costs.
Choose the right starting point
BNG support matched to your planning stage
You may need an initial requirement check, a habitat assessment or help discharging a biodiversity gain condition. The quotation should identify which work applies to your site.
Requirement and exemption review
Start with the application type, site area, dates and available evidence. An exemption from statutory BNG does not remove other ecology requirements.
Discuss the requirementHabitat survey and assessment
Establish the baseline, review the proposed layout and calculate the biodiversity outcome using the appropriate statutory metric tool.
Scope an assessmentGain plan and delivery support
Prepare the agreed Biodiversity Gain Plan and relevant habitat management evidence. Coordinate the ecological work with your planning team.
Discuss your condition| Your stage | What to establish |
|---|---|
| Before the application | Whether BNG applies, the habitat baseline, potential design constraints and the information required with the application. |
| Developing the layout | Which habitats can be retained, the metric outcome and a realistic route to delivering any required gains. |
| After permission | For a permission subject to the biodiversity gain condition, an approved Biodiversity Gain Plan is needed before development begins. |
| Habitat delivery | Management, monitoring and legal responsibilities. Significant on-site gains and off-site gains need at least 30 years of maintenance. |
Biodiversity Gain Plans for planning conditions
Already have planning permission with a biodiversity gain condition? We can scope preparation of your Biodiversity Gain Plan using the habitat baseline, metric calculations and agreed delivery strategy.
Send your decision notice, condition wording, approved drawings and existing ecology reports. We will identify missing evidence, the ecological documents needed and any separate legal or off-site arrangements.
Request a Biodiversity Gain Plan quotation ↗Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans (HMMPs)
A Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan sets out how habitats will be established, managed and checked over time. It should identify responsibilities, management actions, monitoring, reporting and how problems will be addressed.
For significant on-site enhancements or off-site gains, we can scope the HMMP alongside the relevant habitat objectives. The HMMP supports the delivery arrangements; it does not replace the legal agreement.
Preparing a plan and carrying out future management or monitoring are separate services. Your quotation will state which is included.
Discuss your HMMP requirements ↗Check the current rules
Does your development need BNG?
In England, developments within the statutory regime normally need at least 10% biodiversity net gain. However, exemptions and transitional arrangements matter.
From 6 August 2026, a site area of 0.2 hectares or below within the red-line boundary can qualify for exemption. This exemption does not apply where priority habitat is impacted. We check the application details and evidence before recommending a scope.
Local planning policies, protected species and other ecological constraints still require separate consideration. A BNG exemption is not an exemption from all ecology work.
Check the current GOV.UK exemption guidance.
Ask about your siteClear scope and responsibilities
Know what your BNG quotation covers
Survey and consultancy fees depend on the site's area, habitat complexity, existing evidence and required outputs. We explain the agreed scope and assumptions before work starts.
BNG assessment reports and agreed deliverables
A BNG assessment report can bring together the habitat baseline, condition assessment, metric calculations and advice on the proposed layout. Your quotation confirms the survey, reporting and design support included.
A Biodiversity Gain Plan, HMMP or watercourse assessment is included when agreed and relevant. These documents serve different purposes, so we scope them to your planning stage.
We identify what is needed at application stage and what belongs to the later condition-discharge stage. This avoids treating every document as a universal application requirement.
Separate assessment and delivery costs
Off-site biodiversity units, statutory credits, legal work, registration and long-term habitat management can involve separate costs. They should not be confused with the fee for preparing an assessment.
Delivery options must follow the applicable biodiversity gain hierarchy. Current rules give qualifying minor developments more flexibility to consider on-site and off-site options together. Statutory credits remain a last resort.
A practical process
From your brief to the next planning decision
- 01
Review your information
Send the site details and planning request. We identify the appropriate work and explain any information gaps.
- 02
Agree scope and programme
Confirm the deliverables, fee and survey arrangements. Timing depends on access, habitat evidence, workload and design readiness.
- 03
Assess and advise
Receive the agreed outputs and advice on the next steps. Council liaison and later revisions are scoped where needed.
Planning decisions remain with the relevant authority. We provide evidence and advice; we cannot guarantee permission or acceptance.
Before you enquire
BNG quotation questions
Is the statutory metric the same as Biodiversity Metric 4.0?
Use the current statutory biodiversity metric tools for statutory BNG work. “Metric 4.0” is an older label and should not be used as the name of the current statutory tool.
Can you use an existing habitat survey?
We first review its date, coverage, methods and suitability for the current proposal. Existing evidence may help, but an update or further survey can be needed.
Do I need a Biodiversity Gain Plan before applying?
The application needs the required BNG information. The formal gain plan generally follows permission and must be approved before development starts where the biodiversity gain condition applies.
How quickly can the work be completed?
Send your deadline with the site information. We confirm a realistic programme after checking the scope, evidence, access and any seasonal constraints.
Can BNG be delivered off-site?
Off-site delivery can form part of a suitable strategy under the applicable rules. The habitat type, metric requirements, registration, allocation and legal arrangements need checking.
Tell us about your development
Get a BNG scope that fits your site
Share your location, proposal and planning stage. We will review what is needed and respond with the next steps.
Request a scoped BNG quotationPrefer to speak? 0330 236 7329 · hello@acp-consultants.com