Woking BNG advice
Biodiversity Net Gain in Woking
Plan your Woking development around local habitats, planning requirements and practical biodiversity gains.
ACP Consultants can help with habitat surveys, biodiversity metric calculations and a practical BNG delivery plan for your Woking site.
Local requirements
Woking BNG requirements at a glance
| Check | Practical answer |
|---|---|
| Planning authority | Woking Borough Council — verify the actual parcel, any special planning jurisdiction and site type |
| Adopted development plan | Woking Core Strategy adopted 25 October 2012, Development Management Policies adopted 20 October 2016, Site Allocations Plan adopted 14 October 2021 |
| Specific biodiversity policies | CS7 – Biodiversity and Nature Conservation |
| Emerging plan status | The 2012 Core Strategy was reviewed in 2023 and remains part of the current Development Plan. Do not treat a review as the adoption of a replacement. Check the council's current local plan preparation notices for later changes. |
| LNRS | Surrey Local Nature Recovery Strategy, Published 31 March 2026; Surrey County Council |
| Statutory BNG | Normally at least 10% for eligible applications; exemption and application date checks are essential |
| Protected sites | Independent Habitats Regulations or protected-species evidence where a credible impact pathway exists |
Planning authority and policy
Local planning requirements for Woking
Confirm the planning authority
Woking Borough Council handles most applications within Woking borough. Surrey County Council handles county matters such as minerals and waste. Guildford and Surrey Heath have separate planning routes.
See BNG in Surrey and the South East regional guide.
Use the adopted development plan
Use the Core Strategy adopted in 2012, Development Management Policies from 2016 and Site Allocations Plan from 2021. Policy CS7 addresses biodiversity, designated sites, habitats and ecological connections.
The Core Strategy review in 2023 did not replace the adopted plan. Check the relevant allocation and neighbourhood policies while the council prepares its new development plan.
Establish the gain target
Eligible development normally needs at least 10% statutory gain. Establish the applicable target using current national policy, any relevant site-allocation policy and existing permission.
Plan habitat retention, suitable enhancement and long-term management alongside the site layout. Check the national biodiversity planning policies when establishing obligations.
Check dates and exemptions
For applications from 6 August 2026, sites up to 0.2 hectares may qualify for an exemption if no onsite priority habitat is adversely affected.
Householder, de minimis, temporary-development and transitional rules have their own conditions. Record the application date, site area and supporting habitat evidence.
Use the BNG exemptions guide to identify the relevant route.
Nature recovery and local geography
Local habitats and nature recovery in Woking
Use the local nature recovery map
The published Surrey Local Nature Recovery Strategy provides priorities and mapped opportunities for habitat recovery. It was published in March 2026.
For Woking, consider Basingstoke Canal and Hoe Stream corridors, Thames Basin heathland, town-centre sites and woodland links. Match the actual site location and proposed habitat to a relevant recovery measure.
Local habitats to consider in Woking
Use the landscape context to scope the survey, then record the habitats actually present within the site boundary.
| Local setting | Potential habitat or evidence issue |
|---|---|
| Basingstoke Canal and Hoe Stream corridors | Riparian vegetation, wetland edges, water and adjoining green networks; watercourse changes need separate evidence. |
| Thames Basin heathland | Heathland-associated birds and sensitive European habitat; residential projects may need SANG/SAMM rather than relying on BNG alone. |
| Woking town-centre brownfield | Even hardstanding sites can include hedgerow, planted boundaries and trees; opportunities include species-rich green roofs and rain gardens. |
| Woodland and local green links | Ancient woodland and tree networks where present, including edges of built-up settlements; surveys must be site-specific. |
Plan protected-site and species evidence
The Thames Basin Heaths SPA and Thursley, Ash, Pirbright and Chobham SAC can affect Woking proposals. New residential accommodation in a relevant zone may need SANG and SAMM arrangements.
Use Woking’s avoidance guidance and the actual site boundary to establish the route. Along the Basingstoke Canal or Hoe Stream, scope watercourse, riparian habitat and protected-species evidence together.
Planning and delivery
Preparing evidence and delivering biodiversity gain
Prepare the habitat baseline and metric
Start with the site’s habitat baseline and condition. Use the appropriate statutory metric; the Small Sites Metric is suitable only where its eligibility conditions are met.
In Woking, survey Basingstoke Canal and Hoe Stream corridors, Thames Basin heathland, town-centre sites and woodland links where these occur within or affect the proposal. Record the actual habitat condition and relevant watercourse evidence.
See BNG assessments and habitat surveys, habitat condition assessment and Small Sites Metric assessments.
Prepare the planning submission
Confirm the planning authority, application date, relevant policies and whether statutory BNG applies. Then agree a proportionate submission scope with the council.
- An applicability or exemption explanation supported by site evidence.
- The red-line boundary, baseline habitat plan and metric where required.
- Proposed layout, retained habitats and feasible habitat gains.
- Any protected-species, watercourse, drainage or Habitats Regulations evidence.
Test the layout against local habitat constraints
Retain sensitive habitats and useful connections where possible. Use these questions to compare realistic layout and habitat options.
| Local setting to test | Useful design and survey question |
|---|---|
| Basingstoke Canal and Hoe Stream corridors | Can the proposal avoid impacts? Riparian vegetation, wetland edges, water and adjoining green networks; watercourse changes need separate evidence. |
| Thames Basin heathland | What would retaining or improving connectivity involve? Heathland-associated birds and sensitive European habitat; residential projects may need SANG/SAMM rather than relying on BNG alone. |
| Woking town-centre brownfield | Do the existing habitats or species interests restrict the proposed gain type? Even hardstanding sites can include hedgerow, planted boundaries and trees; opportunities include species-rich green roofs and rain gardens. |
| Woodland and local green links | Can the layout integrate useful green infrastructure? Ancient woodland and tree networks where present, including edges of built-up settlements; surveys must be site-specific. |
Choose habitats suited to the site and its long-term management. Match nature recovery measures to the published LNRS map, then calculate all relevant unit categories.
Development and regeneration context
Woking’s 2021 Site Allocations Plan identifies development sites and their policy context. Read the relevant allocation alongside CS7. Town-centre brownfield land may still contain trees, planted boundaries or other habitats that influence the baseline and layout.
A practical Woking planning example
Illustration: a site beside the Basingstoke Canal retains a treed bank but loses amenity grassland. Map the bank and grassland separately, assess the canal relationship and calculate relevant unit categories. New housing may also need a separate SPA assessment.
Plan off-site delivery and long-term management
Calculate the genuine shortfall before committing to off-site units. Apply the relevant gain hierarchy, habitat trading rules and location requirements to the proposed delivery route.
Use the Surrey Local Nature Recovery Strategy to explore habitat opportunities. Confirm registration, suitable units and current availability directly with the proposed supplier.
Read about off-site biodiversity units, Biodiversity Gain Plans and Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans.
Council and delivery costs
What should your Woking BNG budget cover?
Budget for habitat surveys, metric calculations, planning reports and any gain-plan or management work. The scope depends on the site, habitat types and planning stage.
Budget separately for any SANG/SAMM requirements and current council charges. Confirm the applicable zone, development type and contribution schedule before setting the project budget.
Planning evidence
Woking BNG preparation checklist
Free resource: Use the local BNG planning evidence route worksheet. It provides a light, accessible reference to official documents and the difference between BNG and separate ecological duties.
Planning evidence worksheet
Find your Woking planning and evidence route
Use these questions to identify the planning documents, habitat evidence and delivery information relevant to your site.
Open the question relevant to your project
Which planning authority and adopted plan?
Adopted framework: Woking Core Strategy adopted 25 October 2012, Development Management Policies adopted 20 October 2016, Site Allocations Plan adopted 14 October 2021. Policies: CS7 – Biodiversity and Nature Conservation.
Check the red-line boundary, current local list and official policies map. The county parent is Biodiversity Net Gain in Surrey.
Is a new Local Plan or higher BNG target already operative?
The 2012 Core Strategy was reviewed in 2023 and remains part of the current Development Plan. Do not treat a review as the adoption of a replacement. Check the council's current local plan preparation notices for later changes.
The current national 10% requirement applies to eligible development, subject to exemptions. An emerging percentage must not be presented as an adopted obligation.
Which published LNRS and map apply?
Surrey Local Nature Recovery Strategy — Published 31 March 2026. Responsible authority: Surrey County Council.
Match the site to an actual mapped measure and suitable habitat. Record the mapped recovery measure and survey evidence supporting the metric entry.
Could my application qualify for a 2026 BNG exemption?
For applications from 6 August 2026, a red-line site up to 0.2 hectares may qualify if no onsite priority habitat is adversely affected. Other householder, de minimis, temporary and transitional categories have distinct conditions.
What separate habitat or designated-site issue matters here?
The Thames Basin Heaths SPA and Thursley, Ash, Pirbright and Chobham SAC are material to local development. Residential proposals in the relevant impact zone may need SANG and SAMM. Check the council's avoidance strategy, actual zone and availability; no blanket fee has been assumed.
Coordinate any Habitats Regulations, protected-species and water-quality evidence with the BNG work.
When do I need a gain plan and habitat management?
Planning-stage documents depend on the current council validation list and proposal type. The final statutory gain plan is normally approved after permission and before commencement. Significant habitat gains may need at least 30 years of secured management and monitoring.
Details to gather before an enquiry
Sources reviewed: 10 November 2026
Project support
How ACP can help with your Woking project
ACP can help scope the habitat surveys, metric calculations and planning reports needed for your Woking proposal. Early advice is most useful while the layout can still change.
We can consider Basingstoke Canal and Hoe Stream corridors, Thames Basin heathland, town-centre sites and woodland links alongside the site’s planning route and proposed works.
Local planning questions
Frequently asked questions about BNG in Woking
For a site-specific question, discuss your project with ACP.
Which Local Plan is used for Woking BNG?
Woking's adopted Core Strategy 2012, Development Management Policies 2016 and Site Allocations Plan 2021 remain relevant. CS7 is a biodiversity policy alongside national BNG law.
Does Woking's 2023 review replace the Core Strategy?
No. The council reviewed its Core Strategy in 2023. That is not the same as adopting a new replacement Local Plan.
Can SANG payments replace statutory biodiversity units?
No. SANG and SAMM are typically measures to address recreational disturbance of protected heathland. BNG calculates habitat gains under separate legislation.
Are canalside habitats part of the metric?
Relevant banks, grassland and watercourses may be separate habitat modules. Their classification depends on survey evidence and whether the metric's watercourse criteria apply.
Which habitat surveys might a site in Woking need?
Scope the assessment around the habitats and proposed effects. In Woking, relevant settings include Basingstoke Canal and Hoe Stream corridors, Thames Basin heathland, town-centre sites and woodland links. The red-line plan, habitat condition and any water or species pathways determine the survey work.
How should I use the local nature recovery map?
Use the published map to match the site and proposed habitat to a recovery measure. Survey evidence and feasible management then support the design and metric calculation. Confirm the planning authority separately, including any National Park jurisdiction.
How do BNG exemptions work for a small Woking development?
Since 6 August 2026, a red-line site of 0.2 hectares or less may qualify for exemption if the statutory conditions are satisfied, including no adverse effect on onsite priority habitat. Other ecological duties may remain.
How can habitat retention help with BNG in Woking?
Retain valuable habitats and connections where feasible, and test how the layout affects them. If a genuine shortfall remains, use the applicable gain hierarchy and habitat trading rules to select a suitable delivery route.
When is the final gain plan needed for Woking Borough Council?
For eligible ordinary applications the final statutory Biodiversity Gain Plan normally needs approval after planning permission and before commencement. Check what the council asks for during validation and whether a management plan is needed.
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.
Woking BNG
Sources and references
Reviewed 10 November 2026.
Official planning and nature recovery sources
- Current GOV.UK exemption guidance
- Surrey Local Nature Recovery Strategy
- Appropriate assessment guidance
- Woking Development Plan
- Woking policy CS7
- Surrey LNRS Cabinet decision
- Thames Basin Heaths avoidance context
- GOV.UK's BNG guidance
- statutory biodiversity metric downloads
- National Planning Policy Framework: biodiversity policies N1 and N2