Herefordshire BNG advice
Biodiversity Net Gain in Herefordshire
Plan your Herefordshire 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 Herefordshire site.
Local planning guidance
How biodiversity net gain works in Herefordshire
Most qualifying developments in England must demonstrate at least 10% biodiversity gain compared with the site's pre-development habitat value.
An ecologist records the existing habitats and their condition, normally through UKHab mapping and suitable site assessment. The statutory biodiversity metric calculates their baseline biodiversity value.
Next, the proposed layout is assessed for habitat retention, creation and enhancement. The metric considers habitat type, area, condition, distinctiveness, strategic significance and the time or difficulty involved in delivering improvements.
This is not simply the percentage of a site kept green. Furthermore, area habitats, hedgerows and watercourses have separate unit calculations and trading rules.
Consequently, protecting mature trees, established hedges, species-rich grassland, orchards and riverbanks can be crucial. Replacing valuable existing habitat with generic ornamental landscaping may be an unsuitable approach.
Early ecological evidence can help the design team avoid unnecessary losses and test realistic management obligations before planning drawings are finalised.
For technical detail, see ACP's BNG assessment and habitat baseline surveys and statutory biodiversity metric calculations.
Local planning guidance
Which planning authority and adopted plan apply to a Herefordshire site?
Herefordshire Council is the unitary local planning authority for ordinary development in Herefordshire. The county does not have separate English district planning authorities.
However, the applicable adopted policies can vary by proposal type, parish and ecological setting. A made neighbourhood development plan can also form part of the current development plan.
| Site or proposed development | Planning route | Adopted policy and evidence to check |
|---|---|---|
| Housing or commercial development in Hereford, Leominster, Ross-on-Wye, Ledbury, Bromyard, Kington or rural Herefordshire | Herefordshire Council | Adopted 2015 Core Strategy, BNG, ecology/landscape information and any relevant made neighbourhood plan |
| Development within a parish with a made neighbourhood plan | Herefordshire Council | Core Strategy plus current neighbourhood policies, maps and locally allocated sites |
| Mineral extraction, quarry restoration or waste facilities | Herefordshire Council, minerals and waste role | Minerals and Waste Local Plan adopted March 2024, restoration and phased ecological effects |
| Sites within the Wye Valley or Malvern Hills National Landscapes in Herefordshire | Herefordshire Council | Core Strategy and relevant protected landscape character; designation is not another LPA |
| Development on the Welsh side of the Wye Valley border | Relevant Welsh planning authority | Welsh planning/biodiversity requirements, not automatic application of England's statutory BNG |
The planning boundary, rather than the nearest town or a landscape label, determines the responsible authority. For an actual application, check the complete red-line location and current adopted neighbourhood plan.
Local planning guidance
Herefordshire's adopted Core Strategy: LD2 and green infrastructure
Herefordshire Council adopted its Local Plan Core Strategy 2011–2031 on 16 October 2015. It remains operative while a replacement is prepared.
The adopted environmental policies relevant to BNG and other ecological planning requirements include:
- LD1 — Landscape and Townscape, supporting landscape character and local distinctiveness.
- LD2 — Biodiversity and Geodiversity, addressing habitats, species, ecological networks and protected sites.
- LD3 — Green Infrastructure, supporting connected natural spaces and environmental features.
- SD3 — Sustainable Water Management, relevant to drainage and water-sensitive design.
- SD4 — Wastewater Treatment and River Water Quality, important where proposals affect sensitive rivers and nutrient pathways.
These policies operate alongside the national BNG framework. Therefore, an applicant should not assume a successful 10% metric calculation satisfies every wildlife or water-quality obligation.
For instance, a building redevelopment may require bat surveys, even when it is exempt from mandatory BNG. A site close to a protected river may need Habitats Regulations evidence as well.
A made neighbourhood plan may add valid local requirements for site design, green infrastructure or ecological features. However, these must be checked for the actual parish and development.
Has the Herefordshire Local Plan 2025–2045 been adopted?
No. The proposed Herefordshire Local Plan 2025–2045 is in preparation. It is intended to replace earlier adopted development-plan documents after the statutory process is completed.
The previous Local Plan 2021–2041 review is no longer being progressed. Draft allocations and proposed policies from that earlier process are not automatically operative.
The council announced a renewed Call for Sites on 29 October 2026, with second-tranche submissions closing on 10 December 2026.
Submitting land through that process does not allocate it for development, grant permission or make it a registered biodiversity gain site.
Consequently, the 2015 adopted Core Strategy remains the current policy starting point, together with the adopted minerals/waste plan where relevant and applicable neighbourhood plans.
Local planning guidance
Herefordshire minerals and waste: adopted March 2024
Herefordshire Council also determines qualifying minerals and waste applications within the county.
Its Minerals and Waste Local Plan 2021–2041 was adopted on 8 March 2024. It provides the current planning framework for these specialist developments.
Mineral extraction, landfilling and restoration can cause temporary habitat losses or changes to drainage, soils and watercourses. A suitable BNG strategy should therefore consider the sequence of works and realistic habitat establishment.
Moreover, long-term restoration conditions are not automatically the same as legally registered offsite BNG units. The metric, relevant legal instruments and allocation requirements still matter.
The proposed replacement 2025–2045 Local Plan is emerging. The adopted 2024 minerals and waste plan continues to apply.
Local planning guidance
Herefordshire's Local Nature Recovery Strategy: published August 2026
Herefordshire Council published its Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) on 21 August 2026. The council is the responsible authority for this statutory strategy.
The LNRS identifies 37 priorities and 100 measures and supporting actions intended to support nature recovery across the county.
These include rivers, wetlands, traditional orchards, hedgerows, woodland, grassland, farmland and opportunities in towns and villages.
The strategy helps developers and landowners see where targeted interventions could help ecological networks. Nevertheless, publication alone does not impose a particular land-management scheme on every site.
Nor does it grant planning permission or prove that a mapped parcel is suitable for a specific biodiversity metric habitat.
How does the Herefordshire Local Habitat Map work?
The council's published Local Habitat Map contains three important types of information:
- Areas of Particular Importance for Biodiversity (APIBs): areas already important for nature, including relevant protected or irreplaceable habitats.
- Areas that Could Be Important for Biodiversity (ACIBs): places identified as potential areas for restoration, habitat creation and greater ecological connectivity.
- Potential measures: location-specific actions that may help deliver the county's nature recovery priorities.
The council uses the abbreviation ACIB in its map guidance. Applicants should use the live final map and its appropriate legend.
However, an opportunity polygon is not the same as a site field survey, current habitat condition assessment or registered gain site.
For example, a place mapped as suitable for wetland improvement might have engineering, flood, soil or land-use constraints that affect whether a particular habitat can be established.
Does LNRS mapping automatically give 15% more biodiversity units?
No. The statutory biodiversity metric may use a 1.15 strategic-significance factor where a proposed habitat measure, action and location meet the current criteria.
A broad ACIB opportunity area alone does not prove that a particular orchard, grassland, pond or hedgerow scheme qualifies.
The ecologist must identify the relevant mapped potential measure and match it to the proposed habitat type. The calculation and evidence should be transparent in the metric and BNG report.
Similarly, the strategy does not make an advertised nature recovery project into a registered offsite BNG habitat bank.
Local planning guidance
Traditional orchards: an important Herefordshire habitat
Traditional orchards are particularly relevant in Herefordshire. They can provide old fruit trees, cavities, deadwood, grassland and varied habitat for birds, insects and mammals.
The published LNRS includes PM12, creating high-quality traditional orchards, and PM13, restoring existing traditional orchards.
For a landowner or developer, retaining and enhancing an existing orchard may be ecologically valuable. However, its current status must be established through a suitable survey and habitat classification.
Traditional orchards may qualify as priority habitat. Therefore, a small planning site that would adversely affect a priority traditional orchard might not meet the new statutory 0.2-hectare exemption.
An old orchard should not automatically be valued like a modern intensive plantation or amenity lawn. Its structure, features and condition can materially affect the metric.
Likewise, planting fruit trees at a new housing scheme does not prove that an orchard habitat will meet the relevant condition or management requirements.
Local planning guidance
Hedgerows, trees and connected farmland
The Herefordshire LNRS includes PM29 for native hedgerow and hedgerow-tree planting and PM30 for restoration and enhancement of existing hedges.
Hedgerows can provide landscape connectivity and habitat for bats, birds and other wildlife. Their structure, species composition and condition can all matter.
Importantly, hedgerow units are calculated separately from area habitat units. A gain in planted grassland cannot automatically compensate for the loss of a valuable hedge.
Old trees, wood pasture and ancient woodland can also create constraints that ordinary metric compensation does not resolve.
For example, an established veteran tree may require particular design avoidance and long-term protection. The appropriate response should consider species, roots, construction impacts and future management.
Consequently, tree and hedgerow information should inform site layout early, rather than being treated as a final landscape detail.
Local planning guidance
Rivers, floodplain meadows and watercourse habitats
The county's rivers are important for habitat connectivity, water quality and floodplain ecology. However, they can also limit where habitat creation is feasible.
Herefordshire's LNRS includes measures such as PM23, creating riparian buffer zones, and PM19, restoring floodplain meadows.
Other potential actions address ponds, wetlands and naturalising sections of watercourse banks.
These measures may support nature recovery when they suit the land and ecological setting. Nevertheless, a proposed wetland or buffer should be designed around actual hydrology, water quality, flood behaviour and maintenance.
Watercourse biodiversity units have a separate metric calculation and spatial context. In some cases, impacts extend across different waterbody catchments.
Therefore, the latest statutory metric guidance and competent ecological or hydrological input are important.
Local planning guidance
Is a Herefordshire development exempt from statutory BNG?
Not every planning application requires statutory 10% biodiversity net gain. The legal status depends on the application category, date, red-line site area and effects on onsite priority habitat.
For qualifying new applications made on or after 6 August 2026, development on a whole red-line site of 0.2 hectares or less can be exempt if it does not adversely affect onsite priority habitat.
Other exemptions include genuine householder applications, certain development with de minimis habitat impacts and qualifying wholly temporary works permitted for five years or less. Each has different legal conditions.
The former specific self-build and custom-build exemption was removed for new applications from 6 August 2026. Some earlier applications and section 73 variations may retain saved treatment.
A small site is not automatically exempt. For instance, loss of a priority traditional orchard may prevent use of the new area-based exemption.
Also, qualifying for the Small Sites Metric is not the same as being exempt from the statutory condition.
A BNG exemption does not remove protected species, protected sites, arboricultural or nutrient-neutrality obligations.
For detailed eligibility, see ACP's BNG exemptions guide and current government exemptions guidance.
Local planning guidance
Herefordshire Council's local BNG validation requirements
Herefordshire Council publishes separate BNG information for planning applications that are in scope and those claiming an exemption.
If an applicant claims an exemption, the council asks for a statement identifying the exemption and suitable supporting evidence. This might include the application date, site area, relevant plans or habitat information.
For a development in scope, published council document categories can include:
- A completed statutory biodiversity metric or eligible Small Sites Metric workbook.
- A scaled pre-development habitat plan showing the site and habitats.
- A supporting BNG report explaining the habitat baseline and anticipated changes.
- Relevant information about retained, enhanced and newly created habitats.
- Further ecology, landscape, tree or protected-species evidence where the site or development makes it necessary.
- Outline management/delivery information appropriate to the planning stage and local requirements.
These are guidance categories, not a claim that every Herefordshire application needs every document. Match the current local validation list to the actual planning application.
Some text on the council's BNG webpage still references the former self-build exemption and an LNRS not yet published. The national law changed on 6 August 2026, and the LNRS was published on 21 August 2026.
Therefore, current GOV.UK regulations and the final county LNRS take precedence over these outdated summaries.
When must the formal Biodiversity Gain Plan be approved?
For an in-scope permission, the formal statutory Biodiversity Gain Plan normally needs approval after planning permission and before development starts.
The formal Gain Plan is separate from the original application's baseline metric and supporting information. However, early outline delivery evidence may help demonstrate that the proposed approach is feasible.
Significant onsite and registered offsite habitats usually need a suitable management and monitoring plan supported by long-term legal security.
Local planning guidance
River Wye and nutrient neutrality: separate from biodiversity net gain
The River Wye and its tributaries contain internationally important habitats and species. Parts of the system are designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).
BNG is an ecological habitat-value requirement. By contrast, nutrient neutrality considers whether a development would add harmful nutrient pressure to protected water bodies.
In affected catchments, a council may require a nutrient budget, Habitats Regulations Assessment and legally secured mitigation before granting permission.
Meeting 10% BNG does not automatically meet nutrient neutrality. Similarly, buying a phosphate mitigation credit does not necessarily buy a biodiversity habitat unit.
Herefordshire Council has published guidance for the River Lugg and River Clun catchments, with different nutrient requirements.
Local planning guidance
River Lugg catchment: phosphate neutrality
The River Lugg is part of the wider River Wye SAC system. Excess phosphorus has been an important concern for the protected river's condition.
For development with a relevant nutrient impact pathway within the River Lugg catchment, Herefordshire Council's guidance requires demonstration of phosphate neutrality to support a favourable Habitats Regulations Assessment.
A developer may need to calculate the proposed phosphorus loading using Natural England's methodology, then demonstrate suitable avoidance or secured mitigation.
The council has created integrated constructed wetlands at Luston and Tarrington that may generate phosphate mitigation credits for eligible development.
However, their credits are not the same as registered BNG habitat units. In addition, the two wetland schemes do not have identical geographic eligibility.
Published allocation figures from March 2025 cannot be used as proof of current saleable credits in November 2026. The council also states that some nutrient guidance is under review.
Therefore, the actual subcatchment, treatment works, mitigation impact point and current scheme availability must be confirmed for each proposal.
Local planning guidance
River Clun catchment: phosphate and nitrate neutrality
The River Clun SAC is sensitive to nutrient loading and is important for freshwater pearl mussel.
Herefordshire Council identifies a requirement to consider both phosphorus and nitrogen in affected developments within the River Clun catchment.
Accordingly, the appropriate budget and mitigation assessment differs from the Lugg's principal phosphate-neutrality calculation.
A Lugg wetland phosphate credit cannot simply be transferred to a Clun scheme or substituted for a nitrogen mitigation measure.
The actual foul drainage system, land use, treatment works and protected-site pathway should be assessed. In particular, a planning site's administrative location does not establish the final nutrient conclusion by itself.
For land outside these named catchments, do not assume a blanket Lugg or Clun credit obligation. Other water-quality or protected-site constraints may still need examination.
Local planning guidance
Wye Valley and Malvern Hills National Landscapes
Herefordshire includes parts of the Wye Valley and Malvern Hills National Landscapes, legally designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
These landscapes contain important woodland, grassland, farmland, rivers and local character. They may affect the suitability of development proposals and ecological design.
However, they are not separate local planning authorities. Herefordshire Council generally determines ordinary applications on the Herefordshire side.
The Wye Valley crosses the England–Wales border. Consequently, development on the Welsh side should follow the appropriate Welsh planning system rather than assuming English mandatory BNG applies.
The relevant landscape management evidence, site habitats and ecological impacts should be considered alongside the adopted Herefordshire Core Strategy.
Local planning guidance
Onsite habitat, registered offsite gains and long-term management
BNG delivery should start with an understanding of the habitats already present and the constraints on habitat creation.
For major development, the statutory gain hierarchy favours avoiding unnecessary habitat losses and suitable onsite measures before registered offsite delivery. Statutory biodiversity credits remain the final option.
For eligible non-major applications made on or after 6 August 2026, onsite habitat creation, onsite enhancement and registered offsite delivery can sit at the same priority level. Statutory credits still remain last.
Earlier applications and some section 73 variations may follow saved rules. Other local ecological obligations also continue to apply.
A registered offsite gain must meet habitat trading rules and have legal security, registration and formal unit allocation to the development.
Significant onsite and registered offsite habitat gains generally require at least 30 years of management.
A proposed orchard restoration, mapped LNRS measure or advertised habitat bank is not automatic proof that suitable registered units are available to buy.
Similarly, a Lugg phosphate credit is not necessarily a BNG habitat unit. They address different legal outcomes.
For more detail, see ACP's offsite biodiversity units guide and the government biodiversity gain sites register.
Local planning guidance
Six stages towards a proportionate Herefordshire BNG assessment
1. Confirm the planning authority and adopted policy
Identify the red-line boundary and correct application category. Check the 2015 Core Strategy, any made neighbourhood plan and the 2024 minerals/waste plan where relevant.
2. Assess statutory exemptions and independent ecological duties
Record the application date, permission history, total site area and priority habitat impacts. Screen protected species, important trees, SACs, rivers and nutrient-sensitive catchments.
3. Survey and classify the existing habitats
Arrange proportionate UKHab and habitat condition assessments. Include separate hedgerow and watercourse data as needed.
4. Apply the current metric and the final LNRS map
Use a permitted statutory biodiversity metric. The latest published tool is v1.1.0, updated 3 November 2026, but earlier statutory versions remain acceptable under current guidance.
Check any proposed measure against the eligible Herefordshire LNRS map polygon before recording a strategic-significance uplift.
5. Test habitat delivery and river nutrient obligations separately
Compare habitat retention, onsite creation/enhancement and registered offsite options. Where relevant, assess Lugg phosphate or Clun phosphate/nitrate neutrality through the correct protected-site procedure.
6. Prepare the formal Gain Plan and secured management
For an in-scope planning permission, obtain approval of the formal Biodiversity Gain Plan before commencement.
Significant onsite or registered offsite habitats may also require a habitat management and monitoring plan and legal security for at least 30 years.
See ACP's Biodiversity Gain Plan guidance and Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans.
Local planning guidance
Herefordshire BNG application checklist
Use this checklist to gather the information needed for your Herefordshire BNG application.
Unsure what Herefordshire ecology evidence your application needs?
Local planning guidance
How ACP Consultants can help your Herefordshire project
A useful Herefordshire BNG assessment connects the site evidence with the planning route, design and long-term delivery. We agree the scope around your proposal and the information already available.
Establish the planning scope
Locate the red-line boundary and relevant parish. Check the adopted Core Strategy, made neighbourhood plan and any minerals or waste policy before agreeing the ecology brief.
Survey the habitats that matter
Identify traditional orchards, hedgerows, mature trees, grassland and watercourses. A suitable baseline records habitat type and condition, while separate surveys address protected species where needed.
Test a deliverable habitat plan
Compare retained habitats with realistic enhancement and creation options. Match any proposed strategic-significance claim to the published Herefordshire LNRS measure and location, then apply the statutory metric.
Coordinate gains and river protection
Identify any separate Lugg phosphate or Clun phosphate-and-nitrate evidence. Plan the Biodiversity Gain Plan, delivery arrangements and long-term habitat management alongside those requirements.
For further detail, see BNG process guide, BNG consultant services.
Local planning guidance
Frequently asked questions about BNG in Herefordshire
Does every Herefordshire planning application require 10% BNG?
No. The statutory condition applies to qualifying planning permissions, subject to exemptions and transitional arrangements. The actual development category, date, red-line site area and habitat impacts must be assessed.
Which local authority determines Herefordshire BNG planning applications?
Herefordshire Council is the unitary ordinary planning authority for Herefordshire. It also has minerals and waste functions. There are no separate English district councils in the county.
Which Herefordshire Local Plan is adopted?
The Herefordshire Core Strategy 2011–2031 was adopted on 16 October 2015. Relevant policies include LD2 for biodiversity, LD3 for green infrastructure and SD4 for river water quality. Made neighbourhood plans may also apply.
Is the Herefordshire Local Plan 2025–2045 adopted?
No. It remains in preparation as of 8 November 2026. The previous 2021–2041 review is no longer being progressed. A 2026 Call for Sites is not an adopted allocation or planning permission.
When was Herefordshire's Local Nature Recovery Strategy published?
Herefordshire Council published it on 21 August 2026. It contains 37 priorities and 100 measures and supporting actions relating to habitats such as traditional orchards, rivers, wetlands and hedgerows.
Does being in a mapped LNRS opportunity area automatically increase biodiversity units?
No. A proposed habitat intervention must match a mapped eligible measure, its location and the current statutory metric guidance. The 1.15 strategic-significance factor is conditional, not automatic.
Can a Herefordshire site of 0.2 hectares or less be exempt from BNG?
A qualifying new application made on or after 6 August 2026 may be exempt if the whole red-line site is no larger than 0.2 hectares and no onsite priority habitat is adversely affected. Saved cases and other conditions still matter.
Are self-build and custom-build homes automatically exempt?
No. The former separate self-build/custom-build exemption was removed for new applications made from 6 August 2026. A different exemption may apply if its own legal criteria are satisfied.
What is the River Lugg phosphate neutrality requirement?
Affected development within the relevant River Lugg/River Wye SAC catchment may need a phosphate budget and secured mitigation to support a satisfactory Habitats Regulations Assessment. It is separate from the BNG metric.
Does the River Clun have the same nutrient requirement as the River Lugg?
No. Herefordshire Council identifies both phosphate and nitrate neutrality requirements for affected development in the River Clun SAC catchment. The appropriate budget must reflect that different protected-site pathway.
Can I use Herefordshire Council phosphate credits instead of BNG units?
No. Phosphate credits address water-quality effects and are not automatically registered biodiversity habitat units. Some projects may need both, each with its own evidence, eligibility and legal security.
What should I provide for a Herefordshire BNG quotation?
Send the red-line plan or site address, proposal description, current drawings, planning stage and existing ecology information. Identify any known orchard, river, protected-site or nutrient constraints so an appropriate assessment can be scoped.
Local planning guidance
Discuss biodiversity net gain for your Herefordshire development
Whether you are preparing housing, commercial premises or a land-management proposal, understanding your site is the best starting point.
Tell ACP about your Herefordshire development. We can help outline suitable habitat and biodiversity metric evidence, relevant ecological constraints and practical next steps.
Talk to ACP / Site enquiries
What does your site need next?
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Herefordshire BNG
Sources and references
Reviewed 10 November 2026.
National BNG guidance
County planning and nature recovery
- Herefordshire adopted Core Strategy
- New Herefordshire Local Plan 2025–2045
- Herefordshire minerals and waste development
- Herefordshire LNRS and documents
- Herefordshire Local Habitat Map
- Herefordshire Council BNG guidance
- Herefordshire nutrient management guidance
- River Lugg planning guidance
- phosphate-credit eligibility
- River Clun catchment guidance
- Herefordshire National Landscapes