Northumberland BNG advice
Biodiversity Net Gain in Northumberland
Plan your Northumberland 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 Northumberland site.
Local planning guidance
When is Biodiversity Net Gain required in Northumberland?
For qualifying planning applications in England, the statutory objective is normally at least 10% Biodiversity Net Gain. It applies in Northumberland, including relevant development inside Northumberland National Park.
The law changed on 6 August 2026. A new application on a site of 0.2 hectares or less may qualify for an exemption where no onsite priority habitat is affected. Certain wholly temporary projects lasting no more than five years may also qualify. The earlier dedicated self-build and custom-build exemption no longer applies to new applications made from that date.
These exemptions have conditions. The full red-line development site, habitat effects, application date and any earlier permission or section 73 history matter.
A BNG-exempt proposal may still require a bat survey, Habitats Regulations Assessment, nutrient neutrality or protection of trees and watercourses. Statutory BNG is only one part of the ecological planning process.
Use our BNG exemptions guide for the decision route and the current GOV.UK BNG guidance for the legal requirements.
Local planning guidance
Which Northumberland planning authority covers your site?
Northumberland is a unitary county, but Northumberland National Park Authority is a separate local planning authority for land inside the mapped Park boundary.
| Location or proposal | Correct planning authority | Relevant planning and ecological framework |
|---|---|---|
| Blyth, Cramlington, Ashington, Morpeth and most south-east towns | Northumberland County Council | Adopted Northumberland Local Plan 2022, relevant made neighbourhood plans, current council validation and North of Tyne LNRS. |
| Alnwick, Amble, Bamburgh, Berwick-upon-Tweed and most coastal settlements | Northumberland County Council | Adopted 2022 Local Plan, coast and protected-site policies, Space for Shorebirds zones and Lindisfarne nutrient catchment where mapped. |
| Hexham, Prudhoe, Corbridge and other Tyne Valley land outside the National Park | Northumberland County Council | 2022 Local Plan, current neighbourhood planning and protected species/watercourse considerations. |
| Land inside Northumberland National Park | Northumberland National Park Authority | Its Local Plan 2017–2037 adopted 15 July 2020, including DM10 Habitats, Biodiversity and Geodiversity; own planning validation and Park ecology guidance. |
| Minerals, waste, infrastructure and certain special applications | Confirm actual statutory consent route and competent planning decision-maker | County Local Plan has mineral/waste provisions outside the Park. Inside the Park use Park policy; eligible nationally significant infrastructure may follow a distinct BNG regime. |
| Land near Newcastle or North Tyneside boundaries | Confirm actual mapped LPA | The North of Tyne LNRS is shared with those councils, but their planning authorities and adopted plans are separate from Northumberland County Council. |
Local detail: The Blyth Neighbourhood Plan was made on 5 November 2026 and now forms part of the development plan in that neighbourhood where relevant. It does not replace the county's adopted Local Plan.
Practical rule: Verify the red-line boundary using the relevant authority's interactive policies map. A postal county, nearby town or shared LNRS area does not automatically identify the planning decision-maker.
Local evidence worksheet
Northumberland BNG and planning worksheet
Seven checks before you commission habitat and BNG evidence
Use this worksheet to identify the correct planning authority, current nature-recovery map and separate coastal or nutrient risks. It does not determine legal exemptions or calculate statutory biodiversity units.
| Check | Site evidence to record | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Who determines the application? | Northumberland County Council or mapped Northumberland National Park, site boundary and any unusual minerals/NSIP route | Select adopted County Local Plan 2022 or National Park Local Plan 2020, and the correct validation list |
| 2. Does statutory BNG apply? | Submission date, full red-line area, affected onsite priority habitats, development type and section 73 history | Check the conditional 6 August 2026 small-site and other national exemptions |
| 3. What habitats and species exist? | UKHab parcels, condition, hedgerows, trees, rivers, peat, wetlands, photographs and likely protected species | Establish a defensible baseline and suitable statutory metric modules |
| 4. Which North of Tyne LNRS measures fit? | Published March 2026 Local Habitat Map, actual mapped restoration action, proposed habitat and non-statutory marine distinction | Assess strategic significance correctly without assuming a general 15% multiplier |
| 5. Do coastal recreation or nutrient duties apply? | Space for Shorebirds 7 km / 10 km mapped zones, Lindisfarne Nutrient Neutrality Catchment and relevant development/drainage type | Identify separate Habitats Regulations disturbance mitigation and nutrient budget obligations |
| 6. Where and how can gains be delivered? | Feasible onsite habitats, legally registered/allocated offsite unit options, habitat type, trading and spatial risk | Choose a practical gain route rather than rely on an advertised, unverified habitat bank |
| 7. Can habitats be maintained? | Landowner, habitat establishment, legal agreement where required, management budget, HMMP and monitoring | Demonstrate realistic post-permission BGP and 30-year stewardship when statutory security applies |
Which Northumberland planning and ecological route applies?
| Location or issue | Planning or statutory basis | Action for the applicant |
|---|---|---|
| Outside Northumberland National Park | Northumberland County Council; Local Plan adopted 31 March 2022, ENV1/ENV2 and applicable made neighbourhood policy | Use County application requirements, current metric, and North of Tyne published LNRS |
| Inside Northumberland National Park | Northumberland National Park Authority, Local Plan adopted 15 July 2020, ST2/DM10/DM11 | Check Park planning validation and early BNG Strategy advice; update old exemption and pre-LNRS text |
| Housing or visitor accommodation in mapped coastal zones | Northumberland County Council Space for Shorebirds CMS, potential 7 km / 10 km zones | Confirm visitor mitigation/HRA and up-to-date contributions separately from BNG units |
| Site in Lindisfarne Nutrient Neutrality Catchment | Current County validation Note 30 and Habitats Regulations water quality obligations | Check proposal type, drainage and complete current Lindisfarne nutrient budget as appropriate |
| Any part of the published North of Tyne LNRS area | North East Combined Authority responsible; Northumberland Council hosted Local Habitat Map; marine extension partly nonstatutory | Match a suitable published mapped habitat measure and surveyed intervention before High significance scoring |
Important: Coastal visitor payments and Lindisfarne nutrient budgets are different from statutory biodiversity units. A 10% metric calculation does not automatically satisfy either legal requirement.
Decision: If your planning authority, exemption status, LNRS mapped action, coastal buffer or nutrient catchment is unclear, obtain current GIS and ecology advice before claiming BNG compliance.
North of Tyne published LNRS · County application guidance · National Park adopted plan · Discuss your site with ACP
Local planning guidance
What adopted biodiversity policies apply outside the National Park?
Northumberland County Council adopted its Northumberland Local Plan 2016–2036 on 31 March 2022. It is the principal development plan outside Northumberland National Park, alongside relevant made neighbourhood plans.
Its core environmental policies include:
| Adopted Local Plan policy | Subject | Relevance to a BNG application |
|---|---|---|
| ENV1 — Approaches to assessing impacts on the natural, historic and built environment | Conserving Northumberland's distinctive environmental qualities | Establish the site's context, potential harm, avoidance and enhancement. |
| ENV2 — Biodiversity and geodiversity | Designated sites, ecological networks, priority habitats, wildlife and net gain | Assess habitat impacts, avoidance, the Southeast Northumberland Wildlife Network and biodiversity opportunities. |
| ENV3 — Landscape | Landscape character, setting and valued features | Choose habitat and design measures appropriate to the locality. |
| ENV4 — Tranquillity and dark skies | Sensitive countryside settings | Check lighting, ecological corridors and bat-sensitive design where relevant. |
| WAT1 / WAT2 and other water policies | Water quality and catchment management | Relevant to river and estuary effects, drainage and nutrient pathways. |
The Local Plan's ENV2 policies map identifies Nature Improvement Areas, the Southeast Northumberland Wildlife Network and Coastal Mitigation Service zones. These layers can affect ecological design and planning responsibilities.
However, the 2022 plan predates the August 2026 statutory exemption reform and September 2026 NPPF. Apply adopted nature-conservation provisions alongside current national legislation, rather than assume every proposal needs a higher numerical BNG rate.
Northumberland's adopted Local Plan provides the operative policy and associated maps.
Local planning guidance
What is different about BNG inside Northumberland National Park?
The Northumberland National Park Local Plan 2017–2037 was adopted 15 July 2020. It is separate from Northumberland County Council's 2022 plan and governs eligible development within the mapped National Park.
The Park's adopted policies include ST2 General Development Principles, DM10 Habitats, Biodiversity and Geodiversity and DM11 Landscape, Tranquillity and Dark Night Skies.
Important local habitats include Cheviot uplands, blanket bog, wet heath, mires, grassland, rivers and woodland. A habitat proposal must suit the Park's conservation objectives, soil, water and landscape character.
Park-specific application-stage BNG evidence
Northumberland National Park Authority's BNG guidance asks applicants for a Biodiversity Net Gain Strategy outlining the proposed 10% delivery route, including a draft post-development metric and a reasoned account of mitigation and gain hierarchy.
The guidance explicitly notes that some of its additional requirements were advisory until included in a future local validation-list review. Therefore, distinguish what is nationally required, what is in the current Park list, and what is professional advice needed to determine a proposal.
Northumberland National Park adopted Local Plan · Park BNG applicant guidance.
Local planning guidance
Is Northumberland preparing a new Local Plan?
Yes. The council is preparing a replacement Northumberland Local Plan, but the March 2022 plan remains adopted as of 8 November 2026.
The new plan began its scoping consultation on 20 May 2026, which ended on 1 July 2026. According to the council's current performance reporting, the programme passed Gateway 1 on 9 September 2026.
Its published preparation timetable anticipates a further content consultation during April–June 2027, pre-submission consultation in 2028 and possible adoption in March 2029.
These are future plan-making stages, not adopted ecology policies or allocations. Draft proposals should not be used to assert a new Northumberland-wide mandatory BNG percentage.
For real applications, check the actual 2022 Local Plan, neighbourhood plan and current national law. Emerging policy may be relevant later according to its stage and content.
Local planning guidance
Which Local Nature Recovery Strategy applies in Northumberland?
The North of Tyne Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) was published in March 2026. It covers Northumberland, Newcastle upon Tyne and North Tyneside.
The North East Combined Authority is the responsible authority, while Northumberland County Council led preparation and hosts the interactive Local Habitat Map.
The published Statement of Biodiversity Priorities and the habitat map should be read together. Some priority measures are mapped to specific areas; others are unmapped and can be relevant wherever suitable conditions exist.
The strategy identifies nature-recovery opportunities across peatland, heath, species-rich grassland, woodland, rivers, wetland, coastal habitat and urban green infrastructure.
A distinctive North of Tyne marine exception
The published strategy contains a voluntary marine extension, but it expressly identifies some marine actions as non-statutory. These should not be treated as mapped statutory terrestrial BNG measures or automatic metric multipliers.
The strategy provides ecological direction but does not turn every mapped opportunity into an additional protected site, a legal prohibition on development or a registered habitat bank.
Explore the published North of Tyne LNRS and official mapping.
Local planning guidance
Does the North of Tyne LNRS increase biodiversity units automatically?
No. The statutory biodiversity metric evaluates strategic significance separately from habitat type, extent, condition and the risks of habitat creation or enhancement.
| Published strategy evidence | What it means | How to use it correctly |
|---|---|---|
| Existing important wildlife sites and irreplaceable habitats | Sensitive baseline constraints and legally protected features | Survey and retain important habitats; a new habitat-unit gain cannot automatically compensate for prohibited loss. |
| Mapped priority habitat measure | A published opportunity for specified habitat creation or restoration | Match the proposed intervention, parcel location and current metric guide before assigning High strategic significance. |
| Unmapped priority measure | Recovery work may be appropriate across the region where conditions support it | Use in habitat design. Unmapped status alone is not a guaranteed High score. |
| Voluntary, non-statutory marine measures | Useful marine nature-recovery ambitions beyond the statutory LNRS scope | Do not assume these are a statutory terrestrial Local Habitat Map multiplier. |
| Sites crossing a planning authority or LNRS boundary | Different responsible/decision-maker or spatial evidence may apply | Record each habitat parcel, the relevant mapped action and the correct planning/metric evidence. |
A parcel within a general nature-recovery polygon does not automatically gain a 15% metric multiplier. The proposed habitat must align with an appropriate published mapped measure and the relevant current statutory tool guidance.
Likewise, a site outside priority mapping can still deliver valuable nature recovery. Professional ecological design should respond to existing habitats, local soils, drainage and realistic management.
Local planning guidance
What is Northumberland's coastal mitigation requirement?
Northumberland's coast contains internationally and nationally protected shorebird and dune habitats. Residential and visitor accommodation can increase recreation, dog walking and disturbance near these sites.
Northumberland County Council's Coastal Mitigation Service, publicly known as Space for Shorebirds, uses developer contributions to support wardens, visitor guidance and monitoring of shorebird disturbance.
Its current planning constraints map distinguishes 7 km and 10 km coastal mitigation zones. The proposal's location and development category determine whether a contribution or site-specific Habitats Regulations Assessment is required.
| Coastal scenario | Evidence to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Within 7 km coastal mitigation zone | Red-line boundary, proposed new housing or visitor units and council constraints layer | A qualifying recreation-mitigation contribution may be required. |
| 7–10 km coastal mitigation band | Whether the actual proposal triggers the wider band and relevant development category | Do not assume the same contribution applies to every minor and major scheme. |
| Outside mapped recreation zone | Whether any other pathway could still affect a protected coast | Being outside the standard band is not always proof that HRA is unnecessary. |
| Coastal land affecting water, dunes or breeding birds | Direct footprint, hydrology, construction, visitor and bird-disturbance effects | Protected-site avoidance or mitigation may be needed independently of standard visitor payments. |
These contributions are not BNG units. A payment supporting coastal wardens does not count as a statutory 10% biodiversity unit gain, and buying off-site BNG units does not automatically remove the coastal Habitats Regulations duty.
Ask the council for the current coastal mitigation contribution applicable to your site and development type.
Check the Northumberland planning constraints and coastal mitigation guidance.
Local planning guidance
Which Northumberland developments need a nutrient budget?
Some development in the Lindisfarne Nutrient Neutrality Catchment can affect sensitive coastal water quality. Nutrient neutrality is assessed separately from BNG through relevant planning and Habitats Regulations processes.
Northumberland County Council's current validation guidance identifies proposals that may need a nutrient budget, including:
- New housing and changes of use to residential.
- Certain new overnight accommodation, holiday units and additional pitches.
- Certain livestock buildings or slurry stores that may increase herd numbers.
- Anaerobic digesters and other eligible developments affecting the catchment.
The actual requirement depends on the proposal type, drainage and whether the land lies within the mapped Lindisfarne catchment.
The council asks for a nutrient budget using the appropriate current Lindisfarne calculator. A site-specific plan must show that the development will not cause unacceptable added nutrient pollution affecting the protected wetland.
Nutrient neutrality, coastal recreation mitigation and BNG are three different assessments. Delivering 10% more habitat units does not itself satisfy the water-quality or shorebird disturbance obligations.
For Northumberland projects, check the mapped Lindisfarne catchment and the site’s drainage before deciding whether nutrient-neutrality evidence is needed.
Use the actual Northumberland planning validation notes and current government nutrient calculator for an actual scheme.
Local planning guidance
Which habitats matter most for Northumberland BNG?
Cheviot and Northumberland National Park peatlands
Upland blanket bog, wet heath, flushes and grasslands can be sensitive to drainage, planting and access. Restoring peat requires the right hydrology and grazing management, not generic tree planting.
Lindisfarne, the Northumberland Coast and dunes
Lindisfarne SPA/Ramsar, the Northumbria Coast SPA and other coastal SAC/SSSI habitats support shorebirds, estuarine wildlife, dune vegetation and saltmarsh. Human disturbance, pollution and coastal change can require protection or separate mitigation.
The River Tweed, Coquet, Aln, Wansbeck and Tyne
Rivers, streams, floodplains, wetlands and connected ditches can support aquatic and riparian wildlife. A scheme affecting a watercourse may require a separate metric module and suitably competent river condition assessment.
The River Tweed SAC and relevant river/estuary designations also create independent conservation obligations where an impact pathway exists.
Ancient woodland, grassland and ecological networks
South-east Northumberland's ecological networks, Kielder and Wark Forest habitats, old woodland, lowland meadows, hedgerows and ponds can need habitat-specific surveys. The county's adopted ENV2 policy and published LNRS help guide appropriate retention and recovery.
Protected species
Bats, otters, red squirrels, great crested newts, breeding birds and other protected species may need targeted fieldwork. An apparently low metric baseline cannot justify ignoring a bat roost or other legally protected feature.
Principle: Avoid significant harm and retain valuable existing habitat before designing additional units. Use field evidence, local landscape constraints and suitable habitat management.
Local planning guidance
What BNG information should accompany the planning application?
For development subject to statutory BNG, the national application-stage information normally includes:
- Whether the applicant believes the biodiversity gain condition applies.
- The pre-development biodiversity value and a completed statutory metric, identifying the calculation tool version.
- Reasons for an earlier proposed baseline date, if relevant.
- Habitat degradation details and supporting calculations where necessary.
- A description of any irreplaceable habitat.
- A scaled plan showing onsite habitats, with a north point.
The council can require additional necessary, material and proportionate local information for a particular development.
Northumberland County Council validation
The council's planning-application requirements were republished 1 April 2026 and remained current following a review. Note 6 covers statutory BNG, while other notes address protected species, designated sites, coastal mitigation and a Lindisfarne nutrient budget where relevant.
The council expects information in the required format and may not validate a submission missing the relevant documents. However, it is important to apply the August 2026 exemptions and the actual category of development.
Northumberland National Park validation
The Park Authority asks applicants for appropriate site-habitat data and encourages a draft BNG Strategy explaining how gains can be achieved, including post-development calculations and management. Some Park-specific requirements were described as advisory pending local-list review, so the applicable checklist and current law should be confirmed.
For either authority, a protected-site assessment or species survey may be required even if statutory BNG is exempt.
Read our BNG assessment service and BNG habitat surveys for the practical survey and reporting stages.
Local planning guidance
Which biodiversity metric version is current in Northumberland?
The statutory biodiversity metric calculates habitat value from existing and proposed habitats. It considers habitat type, area or length, condition, strategic significance and risk of creation or enhancement.
As at 8 November 2026, the latest government main statutory metric is version 1.1.0, updated on 3 November 2026.
However, GOV.UK says that any published statutory metric version can be used. Pre-statutory Biodiversity Metric 4.0 is not an accepted statutory calculation tool for mandatory BNG. Record the actual version used.
Some eligible smaller developments can use the simpler Small Sites Metric. Its specific eligibility conditions must be met. Smaller land area alone does not automatically make it appropriate where priority habitats, protected sites or species concerns apply.
Strategic significance and the LNRS
The North of Tyne LNRS is now published. For proposed habitat gains, use the published mapped measure and actual matching intervention, not Northumberland National Park's old interim strategic-significance method written before LNRS publication.
The voluntary non-statutory marine extension should not be treated as a terrestrial statutory metric multiplier.
See statutory biodiversity metric assessments and Small Sites Metric assessments.
Local planning guidance
When is the final Biodiversity Gain Plan approved?
For a qualifying permission subject to the general biodiversity gain condition, the final Biodiversity Gain Plan is normally submitted and approved after planning permission, but before development starts.
A council may request an early draft strategy or evidence of habitat feasibility during planning. That is different from requiring a complete final statutory Gain Plan for every initial application.
Significant onsite and registered offsite habitat improvements generally require legal security and management for at least 30 years. The relevant Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP) should describe the habitat intervention, management, monitoring, responsibilities and corrective work.
An ambitious habitat target must remain realistic. For example, upland peat, coastally exposed land and nutrient-rich soils may make a generic planting scheme unsuitable.
The correct plan should show how the final biodiversity units will be delivered rather than simply stating that 10% is possible.
Read our Biodiversity Gain Plan guidance and Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan service.
Local planning guidance
Can developers use offsite biodiversity units in Northumberland?
Potentially. Where relevant to the statutory gain requirement, habitat delivery can comprise suitable onsite improvements, legally registered offsite units, or a combination.
For major development, the national gain hierarchy generally prioritises appropriate onsite measures. For qualifying non-major applications made from 6 August 2026, onsite and registered offsite gains can be considered at an equivalent level. Statutory biodiversity credits remain the last option.
Offsite units must satisfy the metric's trading rules, spatial-risk treatment, legal agreement, national gain-site registration and correct allocation to the development.
Northumberland County Council has reported working with landowners to create habitat banks and considering opportunities on council-owned land. Interest or a proposed habitat bank is not proof that suitable units are registered or available today.
A conservation covenant or section 106 agreement may secure land management, but a legal agreement alone does not prove a gain site has been registered or units allocated.
Before relying on a commercial or council scheme, check the government biodiversity gain sites register and the project-specific habitat types, quantity and current price.
See our offsite biodiversity units guide.
Local planning guidance
What do local council and National Park records show?
The following are published authority initiatives, not claims that ACP delivered those projects or that particular biodiversity gains have already been legally allocated.
Northumberland Coast: Space for Shorebirds
Northumberland County Council operates Space for Shorebirds, a coastal wardening and visitor-engagement service funded by contributions from certain housing and tourism developments.
The council's infrastructure funding reports describe rangers, education, monitoring and efforts to reduce bird disturbance. The service demonstrates a practical Habitats Regulations mitigation mechanism, not the sale of statutory BNG habitat units.
Northumberland National Park: Cheviot peatland restoration
Northumberland National Park Authority has supported Cheviot peat restoration, including work to restore degraded upland bog. This illustrates the importance of hydrology and habitat suitability in upland nature recovery.
The Park's published biodiversity reporting and management plans can provide context, but these do not independently establish registered BNG units currently available to a developer.
2026 county nature-recovery and planning programmes
Northumberland County Council led preparation of the North of Tyne LNRS, published March 2026. It also published evidence of work with landowners on potential habitat banking and approved a new Local Plan scoping programme.
For more information use the published North of Tyne LNRS, Northumberland County Council BNG and planning requirements, and Northumberland National Park management information.
Local planning guidance
Northumberland BNG: seven checks before commissioning the assessment
Use this original worksheet to identify the correct planning authority and any habitat or protected-site evidence. It is a scoping aid, not a legal exemption decision or biodiversity calculator.
| Check | Information to collect | Practical next step |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Who determines the application? | Entire red-line site, County Council or mapped National Park Authority, minerals/NSIP if relevant | Choose the correct adopted Local Plan and local validation route. |
| 2. Does statutory BNG apply? | Application date, whole site hectares, affected onsite priority habitats, development category and earlier permissions | Test the August 2026 exemptions and transitional provisions. |
| 3. What exists onsite? | UKHab parcels, condition sheets, trees, hedgerows, watercourses and protected species | Establish a reliable biodiversity baseline and survey requirements. |
| 4. What North of Tyne LNRS measure is relevant? | Published Local Habitat Map, actual mapped priority and proposed habitat type | Test strategic significance without automatic uplift or non-statutory marine scoring. |
| 5. Are separate coastal or water-quality obligations relevant? | Space for Shorebirds 7 km / 10 km zones; Lindisfarne catchment; SPA/Ramsar/SAC impacts | Identify coastal mitigation, nutrient budget or other HRA independently of BNG units. |
| 6. How can the gain be delivered? | Feasible onsite measures and legally registered/allocated offsite units | Apply trading, spatial risk and correct gain hierarchy. |
| 7. Who will maintain it? | Land manager, legal security, HMMP, funding and monitoring | Demonstrate a deliverable habitat gain for the statutory period. |
Decision: If the authority, habitat baseline, current published map, nutrient effects or coastal zone remains uncertain, gather the evidence before fixing the design or claiming a compliant gain.
Local planning guidance
What can affect the cost of a Northumberland BNG project?
Northumberland BNG costs depend on the proposal, surveyed habitats and legal delivery method. The assessment scope and any offsite unit requirement will determine the project-specific quotation.
| Cost type | Scope | What it is not |
|---|---|---|
| Habitat survey and statutory metric | UKHab, condition, hedgerows, watercourses, calculation and report | Not a universal council tariff or guarantee of development consent. |
| Biodiversity Gain Plan / HMMP | Habitat design, monitoring and management documentation | Not always a full initial application validation document. |
| Legally registered offsite units | Unit procurement, habitat trading, allocation and long-term security | Not proven available from a proposed habitat-bank listing. |
| Space for Shorebirds coastal contribution | Where applicable, mitigates additional visitor disturbance to protected coast | Not BNG units, and not payable by every Northumberland scheme. |
| Lindisfarne nutrient neutrality | Site-specific nutrient budget, water-quality mitigation and evidence | Not a biodiversity-unit multiplier or substitute for coastal mitigation. |
| Other species/HRA work | Bat or bird surveys, designated-site effects, hydrology, mitigation | Does not automatically form part of the statutory metric. |
Council coastal mitigation contributions depend on the mapped 7 km / 10 km bands and development category. Historic amounts may no longer be current, so do not treat an old SPD rate as a live 2026 quotation.
For the main cost categories see our BNG costs and pricing guide.
Local planning guidance
Northumberland Biodiversity Net Gain FAQs
Is 10% Biodiversity Net Gain mandatory in Northumberland?
Normally, eligible developments in England require 10% statutory BNG. New and existing exemptions have detailed conditions, including the August 2026 small-site rule. Species surveys and protected-site duties may still be required for exempt projects.
Does Northumberland have one planning authority?
No. Northumberland County Council decides most ordinary planning proposals outside Northumberland National Park. Inside the mapped Park, Northumberland National Park Authority applies its own 2020 adopted Local Plan and application process.
Which Local Plan currently applies outside the National Park?
The Northumberland Local Plan 2016–2036, adopted on 31 March 2022, remains operative alongside relevant made neighbourhood plans. Its environmental policies include ENV1 and ENV2. A new plan passed Gateway 1 in September 2026 but is not adopted.
When was the North of Tyne LNRS published?
It was published in March 2026 and covers Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside. The North East Combined Authority is responsible for the strategy; Northumberland County Council led preparation and hosts the statutory Local Habitat Map.
Can the North of Tyne LNRS automatically increase biodiversity units?
No. The proposed habitat must meet current metric guidance and correspond to a suitable published mapped measure. The voluntary marine extension and unmapped proposals do not automatically confer High strategic significance.
Are developments on sites of 0.2 hectares or less exempt?
Eligible new applications submitted from 6 August 2026 can be exempt if the full red-line site is no more than 0.2 hectares and no onsite priority habitat is affected. Prior permissions, section 73 and other exemption types require checking.
What is Space for Shorebirds?
It is Northumberland County Council's developer-funded Coastal Mitigation Service, supporting protection of important coastal bird habitats from recreational disturbance. Relevant housing and tourism proposals may need separate coastal mitigation, not a BNG unit purchase.
Is the coastal mitigation zone 7 km or 10 km?
The council uses both 7 km and 10 km bands in its constraints mapping. The correct band, development type and current contribution schedule determine whether and what mitigation is required. Neither zone is an automatic requirement for all proposals.
Which developments may need Lindisfarne nutrient neutrality?
Projects in the mapped Lindisfarne nutrient catchment can need a nutrient budget, including certain new homes, overnight accommodation and livestock-related development. Site drainage and current calculator evidence determine the actual obligation. This is distinct from statutory BNG.
Which biodiversity metric version is acceptable?
The latest government tool on 8 November 2026 is v1.1.0, updated 3 November. GOV.UK allows other published statutory versions where appropriate. Older pre-statutory Metric 4.0 does not count as a current mandatory BNG tool.
When is the final Biodiversity Gain Plan approved?
For in-scope permissions, the final gain plan is generally approved after planning permission and before development starts. An authority can seek necessary and proportionate draft evidence earlier. Significant gains typically need long-term legally secured management.
What should I provide for an ACP Northumberland quotation?
Send the full red-line boundary, postcode, proposed development and planning date, existing ecology reports and available drawings. Tell us if the site may fall in Northumberland National Park, the Lindisfarne catchment or a coastal mitigation zone.
Local planning guidance
Discuss your Northumberland BNG development with ACP
Tell us where the site is, what you propose and when you need planning information. ACP can help identify a suitable habitat survey, statutory metric and practical gain delivery scope.
Request a Northumberland BNG assessment quotation
Alternative contact: 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.
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Northumberland BNG
Sources and references
Reviewed 10 November 2026.
National BNG guidance
Local planning and nature recovery
- North of Tyne published LNRS
- County application guidance
- National Park adopted plan
- Northumberland's adopted Local Plan
- Park BNG applicant guidance
- Northumberland planning constraints and coastal mitigation guidance
- Northumberland National Park management information
- Northumberland made and emerging neighbourhood plans