Derbyshire BNG advice
Biodiversity Net Gain in Derbyshire
Plan your Derbyshire development around its habitats, local planning policies and biodiversity net gain requirements.
ACP Consultants can help with habitat surveys, biodiversity metric calculations and a practical BNG delivery plan for your Derbyshire site.
Local planning guidance
Which Derbyshire planning authority covers your development?
There is no single Derbyshire planning council deciding every application.
The eight district and borough councils usually determine ordinary development within their boundaries. Derby City Council is separate from those councils.
However, the Peak District National Park Authority decides applications within its designated planning area, including parts of Derbyshire. For minerals or waste, the relevant county planning route must also be checked.
Start with your red-line site boundary, not simply the nearest town or postcode. The correct planning authority determines the adopted policies and local evidence requirements.
Practical tool: Use the source-based Derbyshire BNG planning route finder below to choose your authority, habitat evidence and separate ecological checks.
Why does the Peak District have different planning rules?
The Peak District National Park Authority is a statutory local planning authority within the National Park.
It uses an adopted 2011 Core Strategy and 2019 Development Management Policies. Policies L2 and DMC11 address nature conservation and biodiversity.
The Authority's replacement Local Plan 2026–2045 was consulted on during 2026. A supplementary consultation remains open until 10 November 2026, but the replacement is not yet adopted.
The National Park covers land in several counties. Therefore, its planning boundary does not automatically match the Derbyshire LNRS boundary.
What about minerals and waste planning?
Derbyshire County Council and Derby City have a separate minerals and waste planning framework.
Some saved policies from the Derby and Derbyshire Minerals Plan 2000/2002 and Waste Plan 2005 remain operative. A replacement Minerals Local Plan was still undergoing examination in November 2026.
Existing mineral restoration commitments need careful review. They cannot automatically be counted as new biodiversity gains for another project.
Practical planning guidance
Find your Derbyshire planning and BNG route
Work through these five checks using your site's actual red-line boundary. Follow the official sources, not the nearest town or a superseded Local Plan.
1. Which council, National Park authority or county function applies?
For ordinary development outside the designated Peak District National Park planning area, choose the correct one of Derbyshire's eight district or borough councils:
- Amber Valley Borough Council — Local Plan adopted March 2026
- Bolsover District Council — Local Plan adopted March 2020, SC9/SC10
- Chesterfield Borough Council — 2020 adopted Local Plan, CLP15/CLP16
- Derbyshire Dales District Council — Local Plan adopted December 2017, for land outside National Park
- Erewash Borough Council — 2014 Core Strategy and saved policies; 2026 review withdrawn
- High Peak Borough Council — Local Plan adopted April 2016, unless within National Park
- North East Derbyshire District Council — Local Plan adopted November 2021
- South Derbyshire District Council — adopted Part 1 (2016) and Part 2 (2017)
For land inside Peak District National Park Authority's planning boundary, use the National Park's adopted policies. For Derby City Council sites, use its independent Local Plan. For minerals and waste planning, check Derbyshire County Council's minerals and waste framework and the correct deciding body.
2. Are you using the adopted plan or a draft/withdrawn replacement?
Amber Valley's new Local Plan was adopted on 2 March 2026. Erewash's Core Strategy Review was withdrawn 22 January 2026, leaving the adopted 2014 plan and saved policies as the starting point.
South Derbyshire's Part 1 review was submitted in August 2026 for examination. Its Part 2 Regulation 19 consultation runs 19 October–30 November 2026. Neither has been adopted.
The Peak District supplementary consultation runs until 10 November 2026; it does not replace the adopted 2011/2019 policies. Check the relevant council's current local validation list, site allocations and protected-species surveys rather than treating consultation policy as enforceable.
3. Does mandatory BNG apply, and what metric/evidence must be prepared?
For qualifying new applications made from 6 August 2026, development on a red-line site of 0.2 hectares or less can be exempt where the works do not impact on-site priority habitat. Other householder, de minimis, temporary and transitional rules must be checked separately. The old general exemption for new self-build/custom-build applications has ended.
Check current national BNG exemptions and choose a valid statutory biodiversity metric. Small Sites Metric eligibility is not the same as exemption.
In-scope schemes usually need baseline habitat values, plans and metric evidence at application stage. The statutory Biodiversity Gain Plan is approved before commencement where the condition applies. Derby City's updated validation notice explains its local approach. Erewash's ecology checklist illustrates separate protected species and bat-survey duties.
4. What does the published Derbyshire and Derby LNRS map actually identify?
The Derbyshire 'Thriving with Nature' strategy was published September 2025 and covers Derbyshire and Derby City. Use the official local habitat map and the revised 2026 GIS dataset if you need actual mapped measures.
Distinguish existing Areas of Particular Importance (APIB), mapped potential Measures and Areas that Could Become Important (ACB). Check the measure and proposed habitat against current UKHab surveys, condition, soil, hydrology and long-term feasibility.
An opportunity map does not automatically award additional units, confirm a gain site, or override protected habitats. Parts of the Peak District National Park lie outside Derbyshire, so use the relevant county LNRS for those locations.
5. Are there separate River Mease, National Park or minerals obligations?
For a development that could affect the River Mease Special Area of Conservation, examine water-quality and Habitats Regulations requirements independently of BNG. A site outside the affected water pathway may not require the same action. Do not assume a standard nutrient credit without site evidence.
Screen actual Peak District moorland/peat and species, ancient woodland, quarries/restoration obligations and other designated habitats. These are not automatically satisfied by a 10% metric result.
For any off-site shortfall, verify official gain-site registration and units allocated to the permission. Supplier advertisements or 20% voluntary standards do not prove required site units, pricing or a countywide adopted 20% BNG target. Significant onsite/offsite habitats normally need at least 30 years of suitable management.
Need a Derbyshire project scope? Share your red-line plan, relevant planning authority, application stage and existing ecology or protected-site correspondence.
Local planning guidance
Derbyshire adopted Local Plans and biodiversity policy differences
National statutory BNG rules apply across qualifying developments. However, the adopted Local Plans and application validation lists vary between councils.
Use these tables to find the current starting point for your site. Then check the actual adopted policy and the council's latest local validation checklist.
Derbyshire's four borough councils
| Borough council | Current adopted plan and biodiversity policy | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Amber Valley | Local Plan 2022–2040 adopted 2 March 2026. It replaces the old 2006 plan. | Use the newly adopted policies and map. A further Local Plan programme begun in 2026 is only emerging. |
| Chesterfield | Local Plan 2018–2035 adopted 15 July 2020. CLP16 Biodiversity, CLP15 Green Infrastructure. | Check wildlife habitats, ecological links and the actual planning application requirements. |
| Erewash | Core Strategy adopted March 2014, with applicable saved policies. Policy 17 Biodiversity, Policy 16 Green Infrastructure. | The replacement Core Strategy Review was withdrawn in January 2026. Separate bat and protected-species survey requirements may still apply. |
| High Peak | Local Plan adopted April 2016. EQ5 Biodiversity and related landscape policies. | Some housing policies are partly out of date. A replacement is underway; inside the National Park, the Peak District Authority is the LPA. |
Derbyshire's four district councils
| District council | Current adopted plan and biodiversity policy | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Bolsover | Local Plan adopted 4 March 2020. SC9 Biodiversity and Geodiversity, SC10 Trees, Woodlands and Hedgerows. | A 2025 plan review identified the need for updating. It did not adopt a replacement plan. |
| Derbyshire Dales | Local Plan 2013–2033 adopted December 2017. PD3 Biodiversity, PD4 Green Infrastructure. | Replacement Plan consultation closed 14 September 2026. The district plan covers land outside the Peak District National Park. |
| North East Derbyshire | Local Plan 2014–2034 adopted November 2021, with environmental and green infrastructure policies. | A successor 2024–2044 is in preparation, not adopted. Check the current biodiversity policy text and neighbourhood plan. |
| South Derbyshire | Local Plan Part 1 adopted 2016 and Part 2 adopted 2017. | Part 1 Review was submitted for examination 26 August 2026. Part 2 Review consultation runs 19 October–30 November 2026. Both are emerging. |
Derby City and other planning decision-makers
| Planning authority | Adopted framework | Distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Derby City Council | Local Plan Part 1 Core Strategy adopted January 2017, plus saved policies. CP19 Biodiversity and CP16 Green Infrastructure. | A replacement plan was consulted on in 2026 but is not yet adopted. Derby's BNG validation checklist has specific metric evidence requirements. |
| Peak District National Park Authority | Core Strategy 2011, Development Management Policies 2019. L2 and DMC11 support biodiversity. | Separate National Park LPA. Its 2026 draft and higher-BNG discussions are not adopted requirements. |
| Derbyshire County Council | Saved Derby/Derbyshire minerals and waste policies, with a replacement Minerals Plan at examination. | Relevant county minerals, waste and other county functions; not a ninth district council. |
Why do new plans not always replace older policies?
A plan in consultation or examination has not automatically been adopted.
For example, Amber Valley adopted a replacement in March 2026. Meanwhile, Erewash withdrew its proposed review in January 2026.
South Derbyshire submitted a replacement for examination, and Derbyshire Dales consulted on its new plan. Their previous adopted policies still need checking.
Similarly, the Peak District's 2026 consultation does not create a new adopted statutory BNG percentage.
Record the actual adopted plan, relevant emerging status and publication date in the planning evidence.
Local planning guidance
What does a Derbyshire biodiversity net gain assessment involve?
BNG compares the site's biodiversity value before and after development.
An appropriate habitat survey records existing habitats, condition, hedgerows and watercourses. The statutory metric then assesses how the proposed design changes biodiversity units.
Early use of the metric helps designers retain valuable habitats before the layout becomes fixed.
When statutory BNG applies, the Biodiversity Gain Plan generally needs approval before development begins. Councils can require other ecological or baseline metric information at planning application stage.
Are all small developments in Derbyshire subject to 10% BNG?
No. Some developments qualify for statutory exemptions.
For applications made from 6 August 2026, a full red-line site 0.2 hectares or smaller may be exempt if the development does not impact on-site priority habitat.
Householder applications and certain negligible-habitat-impact or temporary developments have separate exemptions. However, new self-build and custom-build applications no longer have their former blanket exemption.
Earlier applications and variations can follow transitional rules. The red-line area is not simply the building footprint.
An exemption from statutory BNG does not remove protected-species surveys, local biodiversity policies or Habitats Regulations duties.
Which biodiversity metric is current?
The official Statutory Biodiversity Metric was updated to version 1.1.0 on 3 November 2026.
The accompanying guidance clarifies watercourse spatial-risk calculations for projects spanning multiple catchments. Other valid statutory workbook versions may remain usable.
A pre-statutory Metric 4.0 workbook is not appropriate for a new mandatory BNG calculation.
Some eligible developments may use the Small Sites Metric, but eligibility is different from statutory exemption. A minor planning proposal is not automatically suitable for the simplified method.
The metric treats area habitats, hedgerows and watercourses as separate biodiversity unit categories. Gains in one category cannot simply offset deficits in another.
Explore our Statutory Biodiversity Metric guidance and Small Sites Metric guide.
Local planning guidance
Derbyshire's published Local Nature Recovery Strategy
The Derbyshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), titled Thriving with Nature, was published in September 2025.
Derbyshire County Council led the strategy, working with Derby City and other local partners. It covers both the county and the city.
The strategy identifies important existing habitats and opportunities to restore ecological networks. It also offers a Local Habitat Map and written nature recovery priorities.
This can help developers and landowners consider improvements that support the wider environment. However, the strategy is not a planning permission or a register of biodiversity units.
What does the Derbyshire Local Habitat Map show?
The published map and supporting datasets contain three important elements:
- Areas of Particular Importance for Biodiversity (APIB) — recognised areas already important for nature.
- Mapped recovery measures — suggested habitat and species-related actions, shown as area or point information.
- Areas that Could Become Important (ACB) — potential nature recovery areas where suitable measures could deliver benefits.
The mapped themes include moorland, heathland, woodland, rivers, farmland, urban habitat, grassland, wetlands and species recovery.
Derbyshire's downloadable map data was updated in March and April 2026. Therefore, a site assessment should record which version and map layers were used.
How should a Derbyshire site use the LNRS?
1. Confirm the red-line site and its county location, including whether any National Park land crosses a county boundary. 2. Open the official Derbyshire Local Habitat Map and identify relevant mapped measures. 3. Read the corresponding nature recovery priorities, rather than using the map colour alone. 4. Compare with current field evidence, such as UKHab habitat type, condition, soils and hydrology. 5. Explain any strategic significance decision in the statutory metric using a real habitat–measure match. 6. Test long-term delivery, including land rights, establishment, management and monitoring.
A site falling in an opportunity area does not automatically receive additional biodiversity units. The map also does not require every landowner to change their land.
Explore Derbyshire's published nature recovery strategy and map.
Local planning guidance
Derbyshire habitats and ecological opportunities
Derbyshire contains contrasting landscapes. Therefore, habitat creation should reflect the actual ecological baseline and local setting.
Peak District moorland and peat
The uplands contain moorland, heathland, blanket bog, grassland and sensitive bird habitats.
Where restoration is suitable, maintaining appropriate water conditions and managing erosion can be important. However, planting trees is not automatically the best option on moorland or peat.
Protected sites, bird species and hydrology may require separate assessment. The National Park planning framework must also be considered.
Limestone dales and woodland
The limestone valleys and slopes support grassland, rocky habitats and woodland communities. Some existing habitats are difficult to recreate.
The design should assess protected or priority habitats before proposing replacements.
For example, creating species-rich grassland depends on soils, appropriate seed sources and long-term management. Mature trees and ancient woodland need special protection.
Rivers and floodplains
The Derwent, Wye, Trent and other watercourses help connect habitats across the county.
Development beside rivers may need a separate watercourse biodiversity calculation, habitat condition evidence and flood or drainage review.
Any wetland creation should be realistic for water supply, site management and other environmental permissions.
Farmland, towns and former minerals land
Lowland Derbyshire includes farmland, hedgerows, woods, former quarries and restored industrial land.
Meanwhile, Derby, Chesterfield, Ilkeston and other towns contain green wedges, watercourses, mature trees and potentially valuable brownfield habitats.
Existing restoration or landscape obligations must be identified. A habitat project is not automatically additional BNG simply because it improves a former industrial site.
Local planning guidance
River Mease SAC: separate water-quality and planning requirements
Parts of southern Derbyshire are associated with the protected River Mease Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
The river and tributaries support important aquatic wildlife. However, its water quality has been affected by nutrients, including phosphate.
A development that could affect the protected river may require assessment under the Habitats Regulations, separately from the statutory BNG metric.
Does every South Derbyshire site need River Mease mitigation?
No. The relevant question is whether the actual development could affect the designated river, including through wastewater or other pathways.
The emerging South Derbyshire Local Plan review refers to River Mease conservation and water quality. However, this 2026 draft has not been adopted.
For a real proposal, check the adopted planning framework, catchment or wastewater information, Natural England advice and the council's current requirements.
A biodiversity unit gain does not automatically resolve a protected river's water-quality obligation. Equally, a nutrient-mitigation payment is not automatically an off-site BNG unit.
This distinction is especially important when designing drainage, landscaping and long-term management for development.
Local planning guidance
On-site gains, off-site biodiversity units and habitat banks
Start with habitats that can be retained and protected. Next, assess realistic improvements or new habitats within the development boundary.
Where the statutory metric identifies a shortfall, registered off-site biodiversity units may help satisfy the required gain.
For qualifying non-major applications made from 6 August 2026, on-site creation/enhancement and registered off-site gains have equal preference under the revised national hierarchy.
The relevant rules can differ for major development and older permissions. Statutory biodiversity credits remain last resort.
Separate legally required ecological mitigation still needs its own assessment.
Can a developer buy off-site units in Derbyshire?
Potentially. Local organisations, including Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, offer biodiversity gain services and advertise habitat-bank opportunities.
However, the relevant gain site, habitat type and unit allocation must be checked against the official biodiversity gain sites register.
A supplier's published information does not guarantee that the right units are still available for the proposal. The correct metric trading and spatial rules also matter.
The Derbyshire LNRS can help identify ecological priorities, but it does not guarantee market demand or unit availability.
Does Derbyshire require 20% BNG?
The usual statutory BNG objective is at least 10% for qualifying non-exempt development. Check the adopted plan and any specific site allocation when setting your target.
Some local nature organisations promote voluntary higher standards. The Peak District has also explored higher targets in emerging plan discussions.
These are not the same as an adopted Local Plan policy applying a 20% threshold to every site.
For most relevant non-exempt planning development, the national statutory objective remains at least 10%, alongside other adopted policies and constraints.
How are long-term habitats secured?
Significant on-site and registered off-site gains normally require at least 30 years of legally secured management.
A Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP) can set out habitat creation, establishment, maintenance, monitoring and corrective action.
The plan should reflect actual soils, water, land rights, ecological risks and resources.
Read our off-site biodiversity units guidance and habitat management and monitoring plan service.
Local planning guidance
Derbyshire BNG planning submission checklist
Use this practical checklist before submitting planning information. It is not a declaration that a scheme is exempt or ready for validation.
The final information should explain which habitats are retained, created and maintained, not simply show a percentage in a spreadsheet.
Local planning guidance
How ACP can help with Derbyshire BNG projects
1. Review the planning route and scope
We can review the site boundary, development proposal and existing ecological information.
The first aim is to identify the appropriate surveys and BNG evidence for the correct planning authority.
2. Assess habitats and test the design
Depending on the agreed scope, work can include baseline habitat mapping, condition surveys and statutory biodiversity metric calculations.
We can also help the design team explore realistic retention, enhancement and creation options.
3. Prepare delivery information
The agreed work may include a BNG report, Biodiversity Gain Plan information and habitat management advice.
Where River Mease, National Park, protected-species or other consents are relevant, these need separate checks.
Need clarity on your Derbyshire BNG requirements?
Share your site location, red-line plan, proposed works and any planning or ecological reports. We can help identify the next appropriate step.
Request a Derbyshire BNG scope review
For coordinated planning evidence, see our BNG report for planning and Biodiversity Gain Plan guidance.
Local planning guidance
Derbyshire biodiversity net gain FAQs
Which planning authority handles biodiversity net gain in Derbyshire?
Ordinary planning applications normally go to one of Derbyshire's eight district and borough councils or Derby City Council. Within its designated boundary, the Peak District National Park Authority is the planning authority. County minerals and waste proposals have a separate planning route.
Does the Peak District National Park require a different BNG assessment?
The national statutory BNG framework applies to qualifying proposals in the National Park, alongside its adopted Core Strategy L2 and Development Management Policy DMC11. Protected habitats and species may require additional evidence. The Peak District Authority is a separate LPA, and its 2026 replacement plan is not yet adopted.
Has the Derbyshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy been published?
Yes. Derbyshire's 'Thriving with Nature' Local Nature Recovery Strategy was published in September 2025. The strategy covers Derbyshire County and Derby City. It includes a written statement of biodiversity priorities, proposed recovery measures and a Local Habitat Map.
Does a Derbyshire LNRS opportunity area automatically increase my BNG units?
No. An area mapped as a recovery opportunity may inform the statutory metric's strategic significance, but only where the proposed habitat genuinely matches a relevant published measure. The map is not a planning consent, survey, registered gain site or automatic increase in units.
What is the adopted Amber Valley Local Plan?
Amber Valley Borough Local Plan 2022–2040 was adopted on 2 March 2026, replacing the 2006 plan. A separate new-plan programme was started later in 2026, but this is not an adopted replacement. Use the current policy map and council's live validation list.
Has Erewash adopted its Core Strategy Review?
No. Erewash Borough Council withdrew the Core Strategy Review on 22 January 2026. The March 2014 Core Strategy and applicable saved policies remain the key current development plan. Its Policy 17 addresses biodiversity, alongside separate protected-species survey requirements.
Are South Derbyshire's new Local Plans already adopted?
No. The Part 1 Review was submitted for examination in August 2026. The Part 2 Review was under Regulation 19 consultation from 19 October to 30 November 2026. The adopted 2016 Part 1 and 2017 Part 2 remain the starting points for planning decisions.
Can a Derbyshire site of 0.2 hectares or less be exempt from BNG?
For qualifying planning applications made from 6 August 2026, a red-line site of 0.2 hectares or less can be exempt if the development does not impact on-site priority habitat. Other exemptions, application dates and transitional rules require checking. Local ecology duties may still apply.
Can a small site use the Small Sites Metric?
Only if the development meets the Small Sites Metric's eligibility rules. Being a minor application is not enough, and eligibility is different from being statutorily exempt from BNG. Important habitats, watercourses and project complexity may require the full statutory metric.
Does every development in the Peak District need 20% BNG?
No adopted blanket 20% Peak District BNG requirement was verified for November 2026. The National Park explored higher targets during its emerging plan review, but the replacement was not adopted. For qualifying non-exempt development, the usual national statutory objective is at least 10%.
Is River Mease water-quality mitigation the same as BNG?
No. The River Mease SAC is protected under the Habitats Regulations, and relevant development may require a separate assessment of water-quality effects. Statutory BNG measures habitat gains. A biodiversity unit calculation does not automatically resolve nutrient impacts or protected river obligations.
When does a Biodiversity Gain Plan need to be approved?
For planning permission subject to the statutory biodiversity gain condition, the Biodiversity Gain Plan normally needs approval before development begins. Councils may still require baseline habitat plans, surveys and metric evidence earlier with the planning application. Phased and some infrastructure schemes use different procedures.
Derbyshire BNG
Sources and references
Reviewed 8 November 2026.
Official planning and nature recovery sources
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
Start with the information you have. We ask for your email, site location and enquiry, with a telephone number at the final step.
We use your details to respond to your enquiry. Read our Privacy Policy.