Northamptonshire BNG advice
Biodiversity Net Gain in Northamptonshire
Plan your Northamptonshire development around its habitats, local policies and biodiversity net gain requirements.
ACP Consultants can help with habitat surveys, biodiversity metric calculations and a practical BNG delivery plan for your Northamptonshire site.
Local planning guidance
Is Biodiversity Net Gain mandatory in Northamptonshire?
Qualifying development in England normally requires at least 10% statutory Biodiversity Net Gain. This national requirement applies in both North and West Northamptonshire, subject to the correct exemptions and transition rules.
The law changed on 6 August 2026. For qualifying planning applications made from that date, development on a red-line site of 0.2 hectares or less may be exempt if it does not affect onsite priority habitat. Certain wholly temporary developments of up to five years can also qualify. The previous separate self-build and custom-build exemption was removed for new applications made from that date.
These conditions matter. Site size must reflect the actual red-line boundary. Earlier applications, some section 73 permissions, de minimis development and householders need their own statutory checks.
Even where mandatory BNG does not apply, a project may still require protected-species surveys, designated-site assessment, tree protection or watercourse mitigation. Those responsibilities are separate.
For a fuller decision route, read our BNG exemptions guide and the current GOV.UK rules.
Local planning guidance
Who decides planning applications in Northamptonshire?
Northamptonshire became two unitary council areas in April 2021. They both act as local planning authorities for ordinary planning applications, but their development plans still contain different policies inherited from former districts.
| Current planning authority | Main places and former local-plan areas | What the applicant must check |
|---|---|---|
| North Northamptonshire Council | Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough, East Northamptonshire, including Rushden and Thrapston | Adopted 2016 Joint Core Strategy and the relevant former-area Part 2 Local Plan, North Northamptonshire LNRS published March 2025, its current validation checklist and the June 2026 Upper Nene SPA guidance where applicable. |
| West Northamptonshire Council | Northampton, Daventry, South Northamptonshire, including Towcester and Brackley | Adopted 2014 Joint Core Strategy and applicable former-area Part 2 Local Plan, West Northamptonshire LNRS published September 2026, the 2026 local validation list, and relevant SPA mitigation. |
| Minerals, waste and qualifying council development | Project type and land boundary determine whether the unitary council is the minerals/waste or relevant county-type planning authority | Check the respective application category, current Minerals and Waste Local Plan and specialist local validation. Do not assume the former Northamptonshire County Council remains the decision-maker. |
Important: There is no operating third Northamptonshire county council deciding all development. Equally, a postal address near Northampton, Wellingborough or a parish boundary is not reliable proof of the authority for an unusual site.
Confirm the location against the correct authority's current interactive planning map before preparing the statutory metric.
Local planning guidance
Which adopted BNG and biodiversity policies apply in North Northamptonshire?
North Northamptonshire's Joint Core Strategy (JCS) 2011–2031 was adopted in July 2016. It remains an operative strategic development plan, alongside four detailed Part 2 Local Plans and applicable neighbourhood plans.
Adopted Policy 4: Biodiversity and Geodiversity supports biodiversity gains and protects designated sites, priority habitats, wildlife corridors and geological features. Its protection of the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits is especially important.
| Former local-plan area | Current adopted Part 2 plan | Practical relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Corby | Part 2 Local Plan adopted 29 September 2021 | Site allocations, green infrastructure and ecology in Corby and surrounding settlements. |
| Kettering | Site Specific Part 2 Local Plan adopted 1 December 2021 | Development allocations and sensitive landscapes in the Kettering area. |
| Wellingborough | Plan for the Borough of Wellingborough adopted February 2019 | Local habitats and allocations in Wellingborough, including sites around the Nene Valley. |
| East Northamptonshire | Part 2 Local Plan adopted December 2023 | Proposals around Rushden, Raunds, Thrapston and other eastern settlements. |
The council is now preparing one new Local Plan to 2045. Its scoping consultation ran from 20 May to 1 July 2026. That early engagement is not adoption or a full pre-submission Regulation 19 replacement plan.
For current decisions, start with the adopted JCS, the correct area plan and national 2026 rules. Review emerging evidence only with appropriate weight.
North Northamptonshire adopted Joint Core Strategy · Part 2 plans and policies.
Local planning guidance
What planning policy applies in Northampton, Daventry and South Northamptonshire?
West Northamptonshire's Joint Core Strategy 2011–2029 was adopted in December 2014. Policy BN2: Biodiversity supports retaining, protecting and improving biodiversity. BN4 addresses the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits SPA, while BN8 addresses the River Nene strategic corridor.
The adopted core strategy works alongside the following Part 2 plans:
| Former local-plan area | Current adopted Part 2 plan | Planning use |
|---|---|---|
| Daventry | Settlements and Countryside Local Plan (Part 2) adopted 20 February 2020 | Local allocations, countryside and ecology; policies include ENV5. |
| South Northamptonshire | Local Plan Part 2 adopted 22 July 2020 | Policies and allocations around Towcester, Brackley and surrounding settlements, including NE ecology provisions. |
| Northampton | Northampton Local Plan (Part 2) adopted 23 March 2023 | Detailed urban and allocated-site policies, including ENV3–ENV5 nature and tree provisions. |
West Northamptonshire's October 2026 Regulation 19 plan
West Northamptonshire Council is consulting on a replacement Local Plan to 2043 from 5 October to 16 November 2026. It remains emerging, so the current 2014 Joint Core Strategy and relevant Part 2 plan still govern decisions.
Its proposed EN10 Biodiversity Net Gain policy discusses the statutory 10% objective, biodiversity evidence, delivery and LNRS alignment. The public consultation text also discusses draft gain-plan evidence. These are draft policy proposals, not a new countywide statutory validation rule or an adopted plan.
The council's current adopted Planning Application Validation List, effective 1 June 2026, is a separate and more immediate source for application documents. Refer to the actual proposal category and current list.
West Northamptonshire adopted Joint Core Strategy · 2026 Local Plan consultation.
Local planning guidance
Do Northamptonshire councils have higher biodiversity targets?
No general Northamptonshire-wide 20% requirement has been established. For eligible development, the normal national statutory minimum is 10%.
Local adopted plans may require the protection of designated habitats, trees, river corridors, landscape features and wildlife networks. Those obligations do not automatically amount to a higher numerical BNG requirement.
The September 2026 National Planning Policy Framework, policies N1(2) and N2(3), limits additional mandatory BNG beyond the statutory objective to specific justified and deliverable site allocations. Decision-makers should not give weight to other local policies requiring above-statutory BNG.
This does not stop an applicant voluntarily proposing a higher gain or undertaking separate mitigation that may be needed for a protected site. However, those are different planning decisions.
Check the actual adopted plan, any specific allocation and the date of the application before assigning a target.
Practical planning guidance
Northamptonshire BNG site-scoping worksheet
Northamptonshire BNG planning worksheet
Use these seven checks to prepare your site brief, choose the correct nature recovery map and identify separate protected-site duties.
| Check | What to record | Next decision |
|---|---|---|
| 1. North or West? | Red-line map, current unitary authority and relevant former Corby, Kettering, East Northamptonshire, Wellingborough, Northampton, Daventry or South Northamptonshire plan area | Use the correct adopted Joint Core Strategy, Part 2 plan and planning validation list |
| 2. Does statutory BNG apply? | Application submission date, whole site hectares, onsite priority habitats, major/non-major route and section 73 history | Test the conditional 6 August 2026 exemption and transitional rules |
| 3. Which published LNRS? | North strategy published March 2025 or West published September 2026, exact official habitat map and measure | Identify appropriate locally mapped measures, not a generic historic county map |
| 4. What habitats are already present? | UKHab parcels, condition sheets, area/hedgerows/watercourses, trees, habitat photos and protected-species potential | Establish a reliable baseline, metric modules and retention priorities |
| 5. Does Upper Nene SPA protection matter? | Development type, 5.9 km recreational zone, bird use of potentially functionally linked land, actual assessment pathway | Identify any separate Habitats Regulations Assessment, SAMM or SANG need |
| 6. How can gains be delivered? | Feasible onsite habitat, correctly registered off-site units, habitat trading, legal allocation and spatial risk | Apply the current gain hierarchy without inventing habitat-bank availability |
| 7. Who will manage the habitats? | Land manager, funding, legal agreement where needed, monitoring timetable and HMMP | Develop the appropriate post-permission Biodiversity Gain Plan and long-term stewardship |
Which planning and LNRS route is relevant?
| Site area | Adopted planning policy | Relevant LNRS and current exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| North: Corby, Kettering, East Northamptonshire or Wellingborough | North Joint Core Strategy 2016, Policy 4 biodiversity, and its relevant adopted former-area Part 2 Local Plan | North LNRS published 5 March 2025; new local plan to 2045 at scoping stage only |
| West: Northampton, Daventry or South Northamptonshire | West Joint Core Strategy 2014, BN2/BN4/BN8, and applicable adopted 2020/2023 Part 2 Local Plan | West LNRS published 24 September 2026; replacement Local Plan Regulation 19 open until 16 November 2026, not adopted |
| Any land near Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits | Correct North or West unitary LPA, plus protection of SPA/Ramsar and bird habitat | 2026 joint SPA strategy, 5.9 km recreation zone; functionally linked bird land can require additional screening beyond that zone |
| Specialist unitary minerals, waste or council development | Actual unitary authority and applicable minerals/waste planning policy | Use the correct specialist application route and site-specific protected-site assessment |
Decision: If you cannot confirm the council, exemption evidence, surveyed habitats, mapped LNRS action or SPA impacts, seek appropriate ecological and planning advice before claiming a compliant unit result.
North Northamptonshire LNRS · West Northamptonshire LNRS · Upper Nene SPA guidance · Discuss your site with ACP
Local planning guidance
Which Northamptonshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy applies?
Northamptonshire has two separate published Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs). Each unitary council is responsible for its own area.
| LNRS area | Publication date | Official mapping and strategy |
|---|---|---|
| North Northamptonshire | 5 March 2025 | North Northamptonshire Council published its LNRS with an online habitat-opportunity mapping portal. A further important-species document was issued in May 2026. |
| West Northamptonshire | 24 September 2026 | West Northamptonshire Council approved the strategy at Cabinet on 15 September 2026, then published its LNRS, Local Habitat Map and accessible storyboard. The strategy identifies 58 priority species for targeted action. |
The strategies identify existing biodiversity assets, nature-recovery priorities and locations suitable for proposed habitat measures. They can help connect grassland, woodland, hedgerows, rivers, wetlands and urban green spaces.
An LNRS is not a development permission, a parcel-level habitat survey or a list of registered units for sale. Landowners are not automatically required to undertake every mapped measure.
For a proposed BNG enhancement, check the strategy for the actual authority area, the mapped nature-recovery measure and the metric's current strategic-significance rules. Never apply North Northamptonshire's 2025 map to a West Northamptonshire development.
North Northamptonshire LNRS and maps · West Northamptonshire LNRS and Local Habitat Map.
Local planning guidance
Can an LNRS map increase biodiversity units in Northamptonshire?
Strategic significance is one factor in the statutory biodiversity metric. It reflects where a habitat action fits the relevant published nature-recovery priorities. It is separate from habitat type, parcel size and surveyed condition.
For both Northamptonshire strategies, a higher strategic-significance score depends on the actual location, a relevant mapped action and a matching proposed habitat intervention. It does not automatically apply to every site within a broad opportunity area.
| Metric question | What to do | What not to assume |
|---|---|---|
| Which LNRS covers the red-line site? | Confirm the North or West council boundary before opening the official map. | That a historic countywide biodiversity map replaces the published statutory LNRS. |
| What existing habitat is present? | Survey using appropriate UKHab methods and complete condition evidence. | That mapped nature-recovery potential proves high baseline condition or units. |
| What is the mapped measure? | Record the specific action for the parcel and a suitable habitat proposal. | That a generic colour or opportunity polygon gives an automatic 15% uplift. |
| Does the intervention match? | Explain how the proposed habitat type and management respond to that action. | That unrelated tree planting, grassland or wetland always qualifies for High significance. |
| What if the site crosses a boundary? | Verify authority, mapped parcels and the appropriate metric methodology for each portion. | That a single authority's map can cover a parcel in a different LNRS area. |
The map helps design habitat improvements, but the ecologist still needs correct field surveys, trading-rule checks, realistic management and current tool evidence.
Local planning guidance
Do developments near the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits need additional mitigation?
The Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits is an internationally important wetland, designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar site. It covers approximately 1,358 hectares across both Northamptonshire council areas.
Its open water, islands and grasslands support important populations of waterbirds. For certain developments, Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) and recreational disturbance mitigation are required separately from statutory BNG.
The revised June 2026 mitigation strategy
Both councils adopted updated Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits SPA Technical Guidance and Mitigation Strategy in June 2026. This supersedes older 2015 SPA planning guidance, although the formal revocation dates differ between councils.
The strategy uses a 5.9 km recreational zone of influence for relevant new dwellings. It also recognises that golden plover and lapwing may use functionally linked land outside the SPA, potentially requiring separate ornithological evaluation.
| Published SPA guidance | Actual figure or approach | Distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation zone | 5.9 km from the SPA for certain new residential/overnight accommodation proposals | Site type, mapping and actual likely significant effects determine the obligation. |
| Strategic Access Management and Monitoring (SAMM) | Published £371.17 per qualifying dwelling from 10 June 2026, plus £85 administration per application | A Habitats Regulations mitigation contribution. It is not the BNG unit price or ACP fee. |
| Large developments | Schemes of 500 or more dwellings may need suitable alternative natural greenspace (SANG) | Check project-specific requirements and current technical guidance. |
| Functionally linked land | Important bird foraging or roosting land can lie outside the SPA, sometimes within a wider study area | Not confined to the 5.9 km recreational screen or solved by purchasing BNG units. |
Important update: The old West Northamptonshire ecology webpage still mentions 3 km. The councils' replacement 2026 SPA strategy uses 5.9 km, which should be the current starting point. Always confirm the actual site location and mitigation position with the relevant council.
This is a good example of why compliance involves more than a spreadsheet: an attractive 10% biodiversity gain cannot automatically offset disturbance to a European protected wetland.
West Northamptonshire's current Upper Nene SPA technical guidance · North Northamptonshire's current planning requirements.
Local planning guidance
Which habitats and species matter across Northamptonshire?
River Nene, River Ise and other watercourses
River corridors, gravel pits, floodplains, wetland grassland and connected ditches support important biodiversity. A proposed watercourse change may require specific habitat assessment, river condition methods and a separate metric module.
Our river condition assessment service explains this specialist evidence route.
Rockingham Forest and ancient woodland
The former royal forest landscapes include ancient woodland, species-rich rides, trees and hedgerows. Mature trees and woodland features can be hard or impossible to replace. Avoiding harm is often more appropriate than relying on new planting as compensation.
Species-rich grasslands, farmland and hedgerows
Northamptonshire supports neutral/calcareous grasslands, arable margins, veteran trees, ponds and traditional hedgerows. Their actual condition requires field evidence; an arable or improved-grassland classification must not be guessed from a desk map alone.
Great crested newts, bats, birds and other species
Ecological surveys can be needed for great crested newts, bats, breeding birds, badgers, reptiles and riparian wildlife. A statutory BNG exemption does not remove those species-protection duties.
The Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits also requires protected-bird assessment where there is a relevant pathway. The SPA and the biodiversity metric protect different aspects of ecology.
Practical priority: Identify important existing habitats, avoid harm and establish a suitable restoration opportunity before deciding whether the development has an off-site unit shortfall.
Local planning guidance
Northamptonshire BNG: seven checks before the planning application
This original worksheet helps development teams identify the correct authority, LNRS and separate protected-site duties. It is a scoping aid, not a legal exemption decision or statutory metric calculator.
| Check | Evidence to record | Next question to resolve |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Which council? | Red-line site boundary in North or West Northamptonshire; identify former local-plan area | Which adopted JCS, Part 2 plan and validation list applies? |
| 2. Does BNG apply? | Application date, red-line area, onsite priority habitats, development type and section 73 history | Does a statutory 2026 exemption or transitional provision apply? |
| 3. Which LNRS? | North LNRS March 2025 or West LNRS September 2026, correct official map | Which mapped measures match the proposed habitat action? |
| 4. What exists today? | UKHab baseline, condition, trees, hedgerows, watercourses, species and photos | Are baseline biodiversity and survey limitations defensible? |
| 5. Does SPA mitigation apply? | Upper Nene 5.9 km recreational screen, functionally linked bird land and development type | Is separate Habitats Regulations work or SAMM/SANG likely? |
| 6. Where can gains be delivered? | Feasible onsite habitat and suitable legally registered off-site units | Does the proposal meet habitat trading and gain hierarchy rules? |
| 7. Who manages the habitats? | Gain plan stage, landowner, legal security, funding, monitoring and timetable | Can the habitat be maintained for the relevant long-term period? |
Result: If a council boundary, protected habitat, LNRS measure or survey baseline is uncertain, obtain the appropriate evidence before claiming a target has been met.
Local planning guidance
What BNG information must accompany a Northamptonshire application?
For qualifying development, the national application-stage requirements ordinarily include:
- A statement identifying whether mandatory BNG applies.
- The pre-development biodiversity value, calculated using an appropriate published statutory metric, and the metric version or date.
- Any proposed earlier baseline date and reasons, where relevant.
- Habitat degradation details and earlier value calculations, when applicable.
- A description of any irreplaceable habitat on the site.
- A scaled existing-habitat plan showing a north point and relevant habitat information.
Councils can also ask for necessary, material and proportionate local information through their current published validation lists.
West Northamptonshire's updated validation list
West Northamptonshire Council adopted its Planning Application Validation List on 25 February 2026, effective from 1 June 2026. Its application-type matrix sets out additional information for eligible schemes.
Where justified by the proposal, the list calls for habitat condition evidence, pre-/post-development metric calculations, mapped habitat proposals and draft gain-plan information. Review the exact application type and any exemption before preparing the documents.
North Northamptonshire's explanatory notes and checklists
North Northamptonshire's application guidance includes a biodiversity checklist, BNG explanatory notes and local strategic-significance advice.
Use the current published statutory metric and the validation requirements for your application type.
An ecologist can help determine which UKHab, habitat condition, protected-species and site-design evidence is needed. Do not assume every householder or legally exempt development needs a statutory BNG calculation.
West Northamptonshire application/validation gateway · North Northamptonshire application/BNG guidance.
Local planning guidance
Is the final Biodiversity Gain Plan needed before planning permission?
Usually, no. For a permission subject to the statutory gain condition, the final Biodiversity Gain Plan is normally approved after permission and before development commences.
An authority may ask for draft habitat delivery information earlier. That supports its assessment of feasibility, but does not make the final statutory plan a universal national requirement at first submission.
Significant onsite gains and registered off-site gains generally need legal security and a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP) to guide delivery over at least 30 years.
Habitat proposals should therefore consider realistic land ownership, ecological condition, maintenance, monitoring and funding. A metric score without a workable delivery plan can create serious later problems.
See our Biodiversity Gain Plan guide and HMMP service.
Local planning guidance
How are biodiversity units calculated and delivered in Northamptonshire?
The statutory metric measures existing and proposed habitat value using habitat type, area or length, condition, strategic significance and risks associated with creation and enhancement.
As at 7 November 2026, the latest government statutory biodiversity metric is version 1.1.0, updated 3 November 2026. GOV.UK also allows any published statutory metric version for calculations. Historic pre-statutory Metric 4.0 is not itself a valid statutory tool.
Some eligible smaller developments may use the separate Small Sites Metric. The selection depends on its specific eligibility requirements, not just how small a building is.
Onsite versus registered off-site gains
For major development, the gain hierarchy generally prioritises suitable onsite improvements. For eligible non-major applications submitted from 6 August 2026, onsite and registered off-site gains may be considered at an equivalent level. Statutory biodiversity credits remain the last resort.
Any registered off-site units must match the project's habitat trading needs, spatial risk and legal allocation requirements. A commercial map advertising habitat banks is not proof of saleable units or an appropriate price.
Read our statutory biodiversity metric service, Small Sites Metric assessments and off-site biodiversity units guidance.
Local planning guidance
What do real Northamptonshire ecological projects and records show?
Local council and Wildlife Trust programmes illustrate practical approaches to wetland restoration and nature recovery.
Nene Valley wetland habitat restoration
The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire has reported habitat restoration at Summer Leys, Nene Wetlands and Titchmarsh, supported by National Highways funding. Work includes improving shallow-water edges, islands, mudflat and reedbed habitat for birds.
These projects illustrate species-appropriate habitat design and long-term maintenance in a sensitive river landscape.
Upper Nene Valley 2026 SPA mitigation programme
The two councils revised their shared protection strategy in 2026, based on bird disturbance and visitor-access evidence. The programme includes strategic access management, monitoring and mitigation of recreational impacts from relevant new development.
It illustrates a second planning obligation that can run alongside BNG, rather than being calculated within the biodiversity metric.
Published LNRS project delivery
North Northamptonshire Council approved partnerships with the Wildlife Trust and Northamptonshire Biodiversity Records Centre in September 2026 for future LNRS delivery and biodiversity information.
The partnerships support coordinated habitat recovery and the collection of local biodiversity information.
Sources: Wildlife Trust Nene Valley restoration, North Northamptonshire 2026 SPA guidance, North Northamptonshire LNRS.
Local planning guidance
What costs are specific to Northamptonshire developments?
The cost of a BNG survey and assessment varies with site size, habitat complexity, condition assessments, hedgerows, rivers, protected-species risks and the delivery route.
Different costs must not be treated as one charge:
| Cost category | What it covers | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Habitat survey and metric | UKHab mapping, condition evidence and biodiversity calculations | Consultant scope varies; there is no verified flat Northamptonshire survey fee. |
| Habitat design, BGP and HMMP | Feasible gain proposal and long-term management requirements | Separate planning stages; significant habitats require appropriate stewardship. |
| Registered off-site units | Legally secured and allocated gains elsewhere | Unit type, risk, quantity and market price require actual supplier/register verification. |
| Upper Nene SPA mitigation | Qualifying recreational impact avoidance: published £371.17 per dwelling plus £85 administration from 10 June 2026 | Habitats Regulations contribution, not BNG units or ACP's assessment fee. |
| Other council planning/legal costs | Local application fees, section 106 and any justified monitoring work | Scheme and council specific; not included in the SPA figure automatically. |
Large schemes close to the SPA may need bespoke SANG or functional-land bird assessment. These cannot be replaced by an off-site BNG purchase.
For general budgeting, see our BNG costs and pricing guide.
Local planning guidance
A practical assessment process
1. Establish the planning route. Tell us whether the red-line site is in North or West Northamptonshire, what you propose and when the application is planned. We check the initial statutory BNG and ecology evidence questions.
2. Investigate the existing habitats. We scope UKHab and condition surveys, trees, hedgerows, watercourses, protected species and the relevant statutory metric. We also consider the correct council's LNRS and any Upper Nene SPA pathway.
3. Assess a deliverable gain. We examine habitat retention, suitable onsite enhancement, registered off-site shortfalls and the appropriate gain-plan/long-term management stages.
Early ecological input can help avoid unnecessary design changes and missed surveys. The planning authority remains the decision-maker, however, and an assessment cannot guarantee planning permission or a fixed unit requirement.
Local planning guidance
Northamptonshire Biodiversity Net Gain FAQs
Is 10% BNG mandatory across Northamptonshire?
The statutory objective is normally 10% for eligible development in England, including North and West Northamptonshire. Exemptions and application-date rules may change individual cases. Separate local ecology policies and protected-species laws can still apply.
Are North and West Northamptonshire separate planning authorities?
Yes. Both unitary councils were established in 2021. North covers Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough and East Northamptonshire. West covers Northampton, Daventry and South Northamptonshire. Their adopted plans and application validation differ.
Does Northamptonshire have one Local Nature Recovery Strategy?
No. North Northamptonshire published its own strategy on 5 March 2025. West Northamptonshire published a separate strategy on 24 September 2026. Use the relevant council's actual habitat map for the site.
Can an LNRS map automatically increase biodiversity units by 15%?
No. A qualifying strategic-significance result requires the correct habitat location, mapped recovery action and a matching proposed intervention. It must follow the statutory metric rules and be backed by site evidence.
Which Local Plan applies in Corby or Kettering?
North Northamptonshire's adopted 2016 Joint Core Strategy applies alongside the relevant Part 2 Local Plan. Corby's Part 2 plan was adopted in 2021 and Kettering's in 2021. Confirm neighbourhood and site allocation policies too.
Which Local Plan applies in Northampton or Daventry?
West Northamptonshire's 2014 Joint Core Strategy applies alongside the local Part 2 plan. Northampton's was adopted in 2023, Daventry's in 2020 and South Northamptonshire's in 2020. The 2026 replacement is not adopted.
Do small Northamptonshire sites of 0.2 hectares or less need statutory BNG?
Applications made from 6 August 2026 may be exempt where the development site is no larger than 0.2 hectares and does not affect onsite priority habitat. Other exemptions and transitions require checking. Ecological surveys can still be needed.
Is the Upper Nene Valley SPA contribution part of 10% BNG?
No. Qualifying developments near the SPA can need separate Habitats Regulations mitigation for recreation effects. Published June 2026 guidance uses a 5.9 km screen and a specific SAMM rate. That is not a biodiversity-unit purchase.
What if my development is near the SPA but outside 5.9 km?
Other effects may still require assessment. Golden plover and lapwing can use functionally linked land beyond the protected wetland, and drainage or disturbance pathways can differ. The 5.9 km measure relates to a particular recreational mitigation strategy, not every ecological impact.
Do I need the final Biodiversity Gain Plan with my application?
The national final gain plan is generally approved after permission and before commencement for in-scope schemes. A council may require proportionate draft information at application stage through a valid local list. Use the correct authority and 2026 statutory exemptions.
Which statutory biodiversity metric version is accepted?
The latest government tool on 7 November 2026 was v1.1.0, updated 3 November. GOV.UK permits other published statutory metric versions where appropriate. Pre-statutory Metric 4.0 is not an accepted statutory tool; Small Sites Metric eligibility is separate.
What should I send ACP for a Northamptonshire BNG quotation?
Send the red-line site plan, postcode, proposed works, existing ecology reports, layouts and planned submission date. If known, include the planning authority and whether the site could affect the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits or another protected habitat.
Local planning guidance
Discuss Biodiversity Net Gain for your Northamptonshire project
Share your site location, development plans, available ecology information and planning timetable. ACP can help identify proportionate habitat surveys, statutory metric work and ecological constraints.
Request a Northamptonshire BNG assessment quotation
Alternative: Contact ACP Consultants.
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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Northamptonshire BNG
Sources and references
Reviewed 7 November 2026.
Official planning and nature recovery sources
- National Biodiversity Net Gain guidance
- National BNG exemptions
- Government statutory biodiversity metric
- September 2026 NPPF environmental policy
- North Northamptonshire adopted Joint Core Strategy
- North Northamptonshire 2026 new-plan progress
- West Northamptonshire adopted Joint Core Strategy
- West Northamptonshire current 2026 Local Plan consultation
- North Northamptonshire LNRS and nature-recovery map
- West Northamptonshire LNRS and map
- West Northamptonshire planning validation
- North Northamptonshire planning/BNG information
- Upper Nene Valley SPA June 2026 technical guidance
- Wildlife Trust Nene Valley habitat restoration