Assess your site
Explore our BNG assessment service for habitat evidence and biodiversity calculations.
Biodiversity Net Gain locations across England
Find BNG guidance for your region and a starting point for your local planning context. Choose an area below, or tell us where your site is located.
For an overview of our work, explore our Biodiversity Net Gain services.
Find your BNG region
Choose a region to explore the relevant guidance. For a national starting point, visit our BNG in England guide.
Map source: ONS December 2024 regional boundaries, simplified for display. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2024. Contains National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right 2024. See ONS geography licensing.
From your region to local guidance
Start with England-wide guidance, then choose your region. Where published, county and local-area pages provide a more specific next step.
- EnglandUnderstand the national framework.
- Your regionFind the relevant regional starting point.
- County or local areaExplore more specific guidance where available.
- Planning authorityCheck current policies and submission requirements.
The pathway organises guidance. It does not determine which authority handles a planning application. Confirm the authority for your site before relying on local requirements.
Looking for London?
Explore our London BNG guidance. For advice on a borough or the City of London, tell us the site address and relevant planning authority.
Cannot find your area?
You can still ask us about your site. Include its postcode or address, the proposed development and your current planning stage. This helps us understand the guidance and support you need.
A useful starting point
Use the regional guides to orientate your search, then focus on the land within your project boundary. A location plan helps us distinguish your site from nearby places with similar names. If your proposal covers several parcels, identify each one so we can discuss the whole project.
What changes with your location?
For development subject to mandatory BNG in England, the national minimum is 10%. Exemptions and transitional arrangements apply, so check the current guidance for your proposal.
Local policy, habitat opportunities and submission requirements also need attention. A regional page provides context; your site and planning authority determine the detailed checks.
Even nearby sites can have different habitat features and development proposals. For example, a field edge, mature hedgerow or connected patch of woodland can help frame the questions for an initial ecological review.
Therefore, treat location guidance as a starting point for discussion. Explain which parts of the site may change and which features you hope to retain. This gives your ecologist a clearer picture before reviewing the available evidence.
- National framework
- Whether mandatory BNG applies; the applicable metric and approval process. Start with current government guidance.
- Local planning context
- Relevant adopted policies, validation requirements and local nature recovery priorities. Check the responsible authority’s current information. Its validation list may explain which supporting documents to submit.
- Your site
- Existing habitats, proposed changes and realistic delivery options. Use site-specific ecological evidence to understand habitat condition, potential losses and opportunities for enhancement.
Before you prepare a submission
Confirm the site address and responsible planning authority. Then review its adopted policies and validation checklist alongside national guidance. Bring together any existing habitat surveys, metric calculations and planning correspondence so your ecologist can identify gaps.
For initial advice, send us the postcode, proposed development and planning stage. If available, include the planning reference and any ecology information already prepared.
BNG support for your project
Once you have identified your area, choose the support that matches your next step.
Prepare your plan
Read about Biodiversity Gain Plan support when preparing the information needed for your project’s BNG approval.
Discuss the next step
Our BNG consultants can help you consider the work your project needs.
Questions about BNG locations
Use these answers to choose a starting point and prepare a useful enquiry.
Which page should I use first?
Choose your region if you already know the site location. Otherwise, start with the England guide and then explore the relevant area.
Does the map identify my planning authority?
No. It shows simplified English regions for navigation. Confirm the planning authority separately, using the site address and the authority’s published information.
Is BNG identical in every area?
The national framework provides the starting point. However, local policy, habitat priorities and site conditions can affect what you need to consider.
What if my town or borough is not listed?
Use the relevant regional page, then send us your site location and planning stage. A missing location page does not determine whether we can assist.
Does ACP support projects across England?
Yes. ACP supports projects across England, from early advice and habitat assessments to Biodiversity Gain Plans. Tell us the site location and scope so we can discuss the support your project needs.
What information should I send with an enquiry?
Start with the site address or postcode, a short description of the development and its planning stage. If you have them, include the planning authority, application reference and existing ecology reports. You do not need every document before contacting us.
Official guidance
Use these sources alongside the relevant authority’s current information:
- Understanding Biodiversity Net Gain — an introduction to the national framework.
- Planning practice guidance on BNG — detailed planning guidance, including exemptions and transitional arrangements.
- BNG guidance for local planning authorities — the authority’s role.
- Local Nature Recovery Strategy areas and responsible authorities — a route to the relevant strategy area.
Discuss your site
Tell us where your site is, what you are planning and which stage you have reached. We can then discuss the BNG support you may need.
Read our privacy policy for information about how we handle enquiries.