Cambridge BNG advice
Biodiversity Net Gain in Cambridge
Plan your Cambridge development around local habitats, planning requirements and practical biodiversity gains.
ACP Consultants can help with habitat surveys, biodiversity metric calculations and a practical BNG delivery plan for your Cambridge site.
Local planning guidance
Which planning authority and geographic policies apply in Cambridge?
Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council remain separate planning authorities within a shared planning service. For city applications, start with the Cambridge Local Plan 2018, Policies 69 and 70, and the Greater Cambridge Biodiversity SPD.
Adopted policies and their effect on a development
| Adopted policy or plan | Date/status | Practical implication |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge Local Plan 2018 — Policy 69 Protection of sites of local nature conservation importance | Adopted 18 October 2018 | Avoid harm to local wildlife/geological sites; justify unavoidable adverse effects and appropriate mitigation/compensation with ecological evidence. |
| Policy 70 — Protection of priority species and habitats | Adopted October 2018 | Assess protected and priority species and habitats in advance, retain important features and implement appropriate mitigation in addition to the BNG metric. |
| Greater Cambridge Biodiversity SPD | Adopted Cambridge Jan 2022; South Cambridgeshire Feb 2022 | Sets expected ecology surveys, metric evidence, mitigation and nature network guidance. Its 20% figure is a vision/aspiration, NOT an adopted SPD target. |
| Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations SPD | Adopted April 2026 by both councils | Current framework for s106 planning obligations, green infrastructure and appropriate mitigation; supersedes City planning obligations strategy 2010. Applies only where justified by scheme. |
Check the complete adopted development-plan document and proposals map against the actual red-line site. Other neighbourhood, saved or supplementary documents may be applicable.
Emerging plans and policy changes
The Proposed Submission Greater Cambridge Local Plan was consulted on 3 August–25 September 2026. It had not been submitted for examination or adopted by 10 November 2026. Its draft Policy BG/BG proposes at least 10% for eligible development and 20% biodiversity net gain for major development. This is an emerging plan policy, not an operative Cambridge-wide adopted 20% requirement. A legally material distinction is the newer 29 September 2026 NPPF Chapter 19, where N1(2)/N2(3) restricts the planning weight for higher-than-statutory BNG requirements outside specifically justified site allocations.
The council's adopted 2022 Biodiversity SPD expressly states its 20% Doubling Nature ambition is not a figure or target established by that SPD. Evaluate any final major-site expectation only against applicable adopted documents and current government decision-making guidance.
Cambridge BNG: adopted Policies 69/70, emerging 20% and chalk-stream route
Use the complete red-line site and application details. These routes point to actual evidence, not an automatic exemption or habitat-unit result.
1. Which Cambridge planning authority and adopted policy applies?
Locate the entire red-line boundary. Cambridge City's adopted 2018 Policies 69 and 70 are different from South Cambridgeshire's adopted 2018 NH/4 and NH/5. Shared Planning does not make them one LPA.
2. Is 20% BNG an adopted major-site requirement?
Apply the national 10% requirement where the proposal is in scope. The 2022 Biodiversity SPD describes the Doubling Nature ambition as a vision, and emerging 2026 BG/BG proposes 20% major development. Assess 2026 NPPF N1(2) and N2(3) at a real site.
3. What national BNG evidence and current exemptions apply?
Check application/site area, priority habitat, 6 August statutory exemptions and whether the full statutory metric or eligible Small Sites Metric is appropriate. Final BGP generally approved before commencement.
4. Does an actual Cambridgeshire/Peterborough LNRS mapped action fit?
The 23 December 2025 published strategy identifies existing areas and suitable woodland, grassland and wetland actions. Find an exact measure and habitat match, not a generic map shade, then check hydrology/management feasibility.
5. Could River Cam/chalk stream ecology affect separate permitting?
Chalk stream restoration can involve water quality, flood/hydrological permits and watercourse metric units. The Council's September 2026 approved river restoration funding is public evidence, not registered biodiversity bank stock.
Local planning guidance
What ecology and BNG information should be prepared?
Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire jointly adopted a Biodiversity SPD in 2022 to explain biodiversity survey, assessment and reporting expectations at planning application stage. A proportionate Preliminary Ecological Appraisal/UKHab baseline, protected species studies where needed, habitat condition and the statutory metric should support the actual proposed layout. The adopted 2026 Planning Obligations SPD provides a separate framework for legally justified s106 arrangements and green infrastructure where relevant. For in-scope BNG development, Article 7 national baseline values, habitat plan, applicable metric and earlier-date/priority-habitat statements inform validation.
A final Biodiversity Gain Plan is normally approved after planning consent and before commencement, unlike a draft layout/BNG report that might be expected during the application. Check full/outline/major vs minor classes rather than imply every planning proposal needs an elaborate HMMP. For river and chalk-stream sites, include relevant riparian/watercourse condition evidence, hydrology, flood risk and drainage constraints. A proposed 20% gain in the emerging 2026 plan does not replace existing protected species or priority habitat duties, and a simplified Small Sites Metric may not be eligible for complex watercourses or other specified habitats.
Where statutory BNG is applicable, start with a proportionate habitat baseline and a valid statutory metric. Maintain a clear relationship between the habitat plan, any landscape changes, the workbook and the written report. After permission, final Biodiversity Gain Plan approval is generally a separate pre-commencement stage.
Local planning guidance
Cambridge City Cabinet approved chalk-stream recovery funding, 24 September 2026
Confirm the current applicable contribution, indexation and any administration charge with the council. Protected-site mitigation, ecological assessment and biodiversity habitat units have separate scopes and costs.
Official evidence: River Cam Chalk Streams and Tributaries — Cabinet Decision.
Local planning guidance
Local nature recovery priorities for Cambridge
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority approved the Local Nature Recovery Strategy on 26 November 2025, with publication on 23 December 2025. Cambridgeshire County Council developed the strategy with Natural Cambridgeshire and local partners. It covers both Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire, as well as Peterborough and other districts. The published statement and Local Habitat Map identify important existing biodiversity sites and opportunities for woodland, grassland, wetland, chalk-stream and farmland actions. The Combined Authority approved a separate Delivery Plan in July 2026, but it is not an additional adopted planning Local Plan.
A mapped opportunity may support appropriate metric strategic significance only where the measure matches the survey and proposed habitat. Around Cambridge, River Cam tributaries, Hobson's Brook, Coldham's Brook, urban green space and established tree corridors may support relevant measures. Each project still needs a site-specific ecology survey, soil/water feasibility and appropriate legal delivery; a shaded nature recovery opportunity does not establish registered BNG units or permission.
The relevant published strategy is Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Local Nature Recovery Strategy. The responsible authority is Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority; the strategy status is Approved 26 Nov 2025, published 23 Dec 2025; CPCA Delivery Plan approved 15 Jul 2026. The map or published opportunity layer is a source to evaluate, not a grant of planning permission, registered off-site units or an automatic metric strategic-significance result.
How to test a mapped opportunity
First, confirm the development boundary and current strategy edition. Then identify the specific mapped measure, rather than relying on a generic map colour. Compare the proposed habitat with the surveyed baseline, condition, soil, hydrology and delivery constraints. Record the strategy source/date and explain why the habitat measure matches, or state why it does not. No area-wide map can replace field evidence or the statutory user guide.
Local planning guidance
Habitats and site constraints around Cambridge
Use the habitats within and connected to your site to scope the surveys. These local settings help identify features that could affect the design.
River Cam, chalk streams and separate watercourse units
The River Cam, Hobson's Brook, Vicar's Brook, Cherry Hinton Brook and Coldham's Brook are vital to Cambridge's urban and chalk-stream habitat network. Development near banks or culverts can require river condition evidence, hydrological/water quality review and flood permissions. Statutory watercourse units are not interchangeable with area habitat units. Riverbank works should be designed around ecological function, public access and long-term maintenance.
Commons, green corridors and established trees
Cambridge commons, college grounds, parks, mature street trees and green corridors provide habitat connections throughout a heavily developed city. Local Plan Policy 69 and 70 may protect sites and priority species even when statutory BNG is exempt. Changes in tree canopy, hedgerows and landscape areas must be represented accurately in the metric, with realistic management and suitable light/wildlife features.
Urban redevelopment and Cambridge's growth edges
The City has intensive housing/infrastructure and institutional development, but a brownfield designation does not prove negligible ecological value. Building design and SuDS may integrate habitats while retaining existing vegetated features. The emerging Greater Cambridge plan shares strategic growth with South Cambridgeshire; do not assign Cambridge City adopted policies to a neighbouring district growth site simply because the development is marketed as 'Cambridge'.
Local planning guidance
Protected sites, other consents and mitigation
Request the current council schedule and an itemised project quotation. Separate surveys and reporting, habitat delivery, legal agreements, monitoring and any protected-site contributions.
A positive biodiversity metric result cannot automatically resolve the effect of development on a European site, SSSI, protected species or water quality. Habitats Regulations Assessment, project-specific mitigation and any required planning contributions are independent legal matters. Do not assume such contributions generate additional biodiversity units.
Local planning guidance
Current national BNG tests for Cambridge
Establish whether statutory BNG applies before selecting a metric or planning habitat delivery. The application date, site area and habitat baseline guide that assessment.
The statutory BNG condition and exemptions
For qualifying non-exempt development in England, the biodiversity gain condition normally requires at least 10% biodiversity gain, assessed with an eligible statutory metric. It was introduced for most major planning permissions from 12 February 2024 and relevant minor developments from 2 April 2024. It does not replace protected-species law, protected-site assessment or local adopted nature policies. For qualifying new applications made from 6 August 2026, a red-line development site of 0.2 hectares or less may be exempt where no on-site priority habitat is adversely affected.
The development site includes the whole red-line area, not just the building footprint. Other householder, de minimis, temporary, earlier permission and section 73 rules are separate. New self-build and custom-build applications no longer have the former automatic exemption after that date. Check the current legislation before stating an exemption.
The current metric, the Small Sites Metric and the gain hierarchy
The Statutory Biodiversity Metric was updated to version 1.1.0 on 3 November 2026. Earlier valid statutory versions are still permitted by government guidance; non-statutory Metric 4.0 is not suitable for a new mandatory calculation. Area habitat, hedgerow and watercourse units are separate classes. The Small Sites Metric is a simplified method only for eligible proposals, not a legal exemption from the requirement. For qualifying non-major applications from 6 August 2026, on-site creation or enhancement and registered off-site gains can be considered at the same preference level under the updated national hierarchy, with statutory credits last.
Major and earlier applications may differ. Avoiding harm to important habitat, species mitigation and designated-site safeguards remain relevant.
Approval and habitat delivery
The pre-development value, habitat plan, appropriate metric and any other applicable local validation information can be required at planning application stage. The final Biodiversity Gain Plan for a permission subject to the statutory condition is normally approved after permission but before development starts. Significant on-site gains and registered off-site gains generally require legally secured management for at least 30 years. A Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan should explain habitat targets, maintenance, monitoring, responsibilities and corrective actions. A proposed habitat bank is not necessarily a registered gain site with allocated units available for sale.
Confirm actual national gain-site registration, habitat type, trading and spatial rules, legal agreement, and allocation to the proposed permission. Statutory credits are a separate last-resort mechanism. Legally required protected-site mitigation cannot automatically be counted again as additional biodiversity gain.
For technical detail use ACP's BNG assessment service, statutory metric guidance, Small Sites Metric guidance and Biodiversity Gain Plan service.
Local planning guidance
Off-site units, legal costs and published local charges
The Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations SPD was adopted by both councils in April 2026 and describes when section 106 mitigation can be required, including justified green infrastructure and nature-related provisions. The SPD is not a schedule of uniform BNG unit costs for all Cambridge sites. A scheme-specific planning obligation requires the legal tests to be met. No current universally applicable Cambridge City BNG monitoring charge, BNG off-site unit price or legal registration fee was confirmed in the official research.
These should be presented as separate potential costs: ecological baseline, metric report, legal agreements, relevant s106 monitoring, off-site registered units and at least 30-year habitat care. Do not invent a quotation or claim the county's LNRS mapped opportunities are units available for sale.
Separate consultancy surveys and reporting, statutory gain-site registration or allocation, legal agreements, 30-year habitat management and any Habitats Regulations visitor mitigation. These cost categories are not interchangeable. Prices and payment rules must be checked for the exact application date and authority, not assumed from a regional average.
For habitat delivery, see off-site biodiversity unit guidance and habitat management and monitoring.
Local planning guidance
Cambridge planning and BNG checklist
Use this checklist to gather the site information and decisions needed before an assessment or planning submission.
Local planning guidance
Questions about biodiversity net gain in Cambridge
These answers cover common planning, habitat and delivery questions for projects in Cambridge.
What biodiversity planning policies are adopted in Cambridge?
Cambridge City Council adopted the Cambridge Local Plan 2018 on 18 October 2018. Policy 69 safeguards sites of local nature conservation importance and Policy 70 protects priority species and habitats. The adopted 2022 Biodiversity SPD supports ecological survey and planning evidence.
Is 20% BNG mandatory for Cambridge major development?
The 2026 proposed Greater Cambridge Local Plan BG/BG includes a draft 20% target for major development, but the plan is not adopted. The 2022 Biodiversity SPD describes 20% as a vision rather than a target set by the SPD. The 2026 NPPF further restricts weight for higher local BNG requirements. Check site allocations and current law.
What is the status of the Greater Cambridge Local Plan in November 2026?
Its Proposed Submission Regulation 19 consultation closed 25 September 2026. It remains emerging, with Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire still using their respective adopted 2018 Local Plans until the joint replacement is adopted.
Who is the planning authority for a Cambridge postcode?
Cambridge City Council handles ordinary planning inside the city boundary; neighbouring areas may be South Cambridgeshire District Council. The two share planning service and emerging plan but are separate LPAs, so the correct policies and validation depend on the red-line boundary.
When was the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough LNRS published?
The Combined Authority approved the strategy in November 2025 and it was published 23 December 2025. It covers Cambridge City, South Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and other districts. A July 2026 Delivery Plan supports its implementation.
Can River Cam restoration automatically produce BNG units?
No. A proposed river or chalk-stream restoration needs suitable site evidence, water conditions and legal delivery. Watercourse units have separate statutory metric rules, and a public council restoration project is not automatically registered as off-site gain units.
What did Cambridge City Council approve for chalk streams in September 2026?
Confirm the current applicable contribution, indexation and any administration charge with the council. Protected-site mitigation, ecological assessment and biodiversity habitat units have separate scopes and costs.
Do small Cambridge developments always require statutory BNG?
No. Certain qualifying applications made from 6 August 2026 on red-line sites of 0.2ha or less may be exempt if no on-site priority habitat is adversely affected. Other exemptions apply separately, and Local Plan nature conservation/protected species duties can still require evidence.
Does the Small Sites Metric work for every urban site?
No. Small Sites Metric eligibility is a separate technical test. Complex habitats, hedgerows or watercourse effects may require the full statutory tool even when the development is relatively small.
When is a final Biodiversity Gain Plan approved?
For an applicable statutory gain condition it is generally approved before development starts, after planning permission. Cambridge may ask for baseline metric and ecology reports earlier at application stage, consistent with its 2022 Biodiversity SPD.
Project support
How ACP can help with your Cambridge project
ACP can help you plan the surveys, calculations and documents your site needs. We agree the scope around your proposal, its planning stage and the habitats affected.
Survey, design and planning support
- Habitat surveys and condition assessments.
- Statutory metric calculations and design options.
- BNG reports and planning submission support.
- Gain plans and habitat management documents.
Talk to ACP / Site enquiries
What does your site need next?
Tell us where the site is, what you plan to build and how far the application has progressed. We’ll use that context to discuss the surveys, calculations or plans your project needs.
What to have to handA red-line plan, an existing ecology report or a request from the council can help us scope the work. Start with whatever you already have.
Request a site-specific quotation
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Cambridge BNG
Sources and references
Reviewed 10 November 2026.
Official planning and nature recovery sources
- Greater Cambridge Local Plan
- Greater Cambridge Biodiversity SPD
- Current national exemption rules
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough LNRS
- River Cam Chalk Streams and Tributaries — Cabinet Decision
- Cambridge 2018 Local Plan adoption
- Greater Cambridge Biodiversity SPD 2022
- Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations SPD
- Proposed Submission Policy BG/BG
- National Planning Policy Framework: biodiversity policies N1 and N2