Metropolitan West Midlands BNG advice
Biodiversity Net Gain in the West Midlands metropolitan area
Plan development across the seven West Midlands metropolitan council areas with the right habitat evidence and local biodiversity guidance.
ACP Consultants can help with habitat surveys, biodiversity metric calculations and a practical BNG delivery plan for your site in the metropolitan area.
Local planning guidance
How statutory biodiversity net gain works in the West Midlands
For qualifying planning applications, the statutory BNG objective is usually at least 10% above the original biodiversity value.
An ecologist identifies existing habitats, usually through UKHab mapping and appropriate condition assessments. The statutory biodiversity metric then calculates existing units and the proposed gain from retention, creation or enhancement.
This is not simply the percentage of a site left landscaped. Habitat type, size, distinctiveness, condition, strategic significance and the time or difficulty of creating habitat can affect results.
Area habitats, hedgerows and watercourses also have separate unit calculations. Therefore, adding amenity grassland does not necessarily compensate for removing an important hedgerow or watercourse.
In the West Midlands, early ecological input can be particularly important for former industrial sites, dense housing schemes and canal-side regeneration. Some apparently unused brownfield sites contain valuable habitat mosaics.
For specialist methods, read about ACP's BNG assessment and habitat surveys and statutory biodiversity metric calculations.
Local planning guidance
Which of the seven West Midlands councils covers your development?
The metropolitan county comprises Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
Each council has its own planning responsibilities. Meanwhile, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) coordinates the published LNRS and regional initiatives. It does not decide ordinary planning applications for all seven councils.
| Where is your site? | Planning authority | Current adopted ecology policies | 2026 plan and evidence distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield and city neighbourhoods | Birmingham City Council | Development Plan 2031 adopted 2017, TP8 Biodiversity and Geodiversity, TP7 Green Infrastructure | New plan to 2044 is emerging; use council's current application validation and biodiversity evidence list |
| Coventry and its development edges | Coventry City Council | Local Plan adopted 2017, GE3 Biodiversity and GE1; BNG SPD adopted December 2022 | Review under examination; Main Modifications consultation closed 1 October 2026, not yet adopted |
| Dudley, Stourbridge, Halesowen and Brierley Hill | Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council | Dudley Local Plan adopted 13 July 2026, DLP31 and DLP32; BNG 10% for qualifying development | A 20% tree-canopy ambition is not a universal 20% BNG requirement; older Black Country policies have been superseded where replaced |
| West Bromwich, Smethwick, Oldbury and Sandwell | Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council | Black Country Core Strategy 2011 ENV1 and Sandwell Site Allocations and Delivery DPD 2012 | Sandwell replacement plan examination pending inspector report; 2026 new-system plan 2 also emerging, neither adopted |
| Solihull, Shirley, Knowle and borough villages | Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council | Solihull Local Plan adopted 2013 P10 Natural Environment | Local Plan 2026–2043 Reg19 consultation to 11 December 2026; still not adopted |
| Walsall, Bloxwich, Aldridge, Willenhall | Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council | Black Country Core Strategy adopted 2011 ENV1 and Site Allocations Document adopted 2019 | Reg19 consultation closed 2 November 2026; planned submission not adoption; 2024 BNG validation guide |
| Wolverhampton and nearby city neighbourhoods | City of Wolverhampton Council | Black Country Core Strategy 2011 ENV1, retained UDP/Area Action Plans | Submitted plan under examination, plus separate early 2026 new-system review; March 2024 informal BNG guidance |
The correct council also depends on the legal site boundary, not merely the nearest town. In addition, minerals, waste, transport and some major projects have their own planning and environmental procedures.
Practical planning guidance
Six questions to scope your metropolitan West Midlands BNG assessment
Use these questions to prepare a useful site brief for your ecological consultant and planning team.
| Question | Why it matters | Evidence or check |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Does mandatory BNG apply to this application? | The exemption for eligible applications from 6 August 2026 on whole red-line sites no larger than 0.2ha requires no adverse onsite priority habitat impact. Historic permissions and section 73 variations can differ. | Site plan/area, application date/chain, priority habitat check and current government exemptions |
| 2. Is this brownfield habitat actually low value? | Previously developed land can support priority open mosaic habitats, rare species, scrub, woodland or established ponds. A small site is not necessarily exempt. | UKHab habitat map, condition sheets, appropriate ecological surveys, contamination and protected species screening |
| 3. Can the WMCA LNRS map inform a gain? | An ACB opportunity does not automatically grant a 1.15 strategic factor. A proposed habitat type and intervention must match a mapped potential measure. | West Midlands Local Habitat Map, parcel boundary and current metric guidance |
| 4. Does an adopted or emerging plan apply? | Dudley's plan is adopted as of July 2026, unlike several Black Country draft replacements. Draft or consultation policy cannot silently replace adopted policy. | Actual council, adopted plan/policies map, application-specific local validation list and date of any future plan adoption |
| 5. Could protected wildlife or Fens Pools SAC be affected? | Fens Pools SAC great crested newts and other important sites have separate habitat/species legal protection. A BNG percentage cannot replace HRA or a protected species licence. | JNCC Fens Pools SAC designation, actual site-impact pathway, ecological records and proportionate surveys |
| 6. How will gains be delivered and legally secured? | Major and qualifying post-August non-major gain hierarchies differ; offsite units need habitat trading, registration, allocation and generally at least 30-year management. | Statutory metric, habitat delivery and HMMP, legal agreement, and national gain sites register; WMCA projected habitat-bank units are not confirmed sale stock |
Local planning guidance
West Midlands metropolitan county versus West Midlands region
The metropolitan county is a smaller area than the West Midlands region. The regional geography also includes neighbouring areas such as Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire.
This distinction is important for search intent, local nature recovery mapping and planning authority responsibility.
The West Midlands LNRS covers the seven metropolitan constituent authorities. Other counties have separate statutory LNRS arrangements and their own development plans.
Consequently, a development in Warwickshire should not automatically use a Birmingham or Dudley planning policy. Likewise, the West Midlands regional hub is for broader multi-county guidance, while this page explains the seven metropolitan council routes.
Local planning guidance
The published West Midlands Local Nature Recovery Strategy
The West Midlands Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) covers all seven metropolitan councils. The West Midlands Combined Authority is its responsible authority.
WMCA published the strategy documents in October 2025, formally approved the strategy in November 2025, and publicly launched it on 27 November 2025.
The strategy identifies 62 actions to protect and improve nature across urban and post-industrial landscapes. It includes connected parks, canals, rivers, woodland, hedgerows, wetlands, grassland and brownfield habitats.
Official links: West Midlands LNRS and map and WMCA strategy publication details.
What does the LNRS Local Habitat Map show?
The official mapping identifies existing important biodiversity areas and possible places for nature recovery.
- Areas of Particular Importance for Biodiversity (APIBs): qualifying existing important wildlife areas and habitats.
- Areas that Could Become of Particular Importance for Biodiversity (ACBs): places where targeted nature recovery could have benefits.
- Potential measures: proposed actions for creating, restoring or improving habitats and ecological networks.
Mapped opportunities can inform masterplanning, landscape proposals and the strategic-significance part of the statutory metric.
However, an LNRS opportunity area is not planning permission, a habitat condition survey or a registered biodiversity gain site.
Can the LNRS automatically add more biodiversity units?
No. A suitable proposed habitat action must match the relevant mapped potential measure, actual location and current metric rules.
For some eligible matches, the metric can apply a strategic-significance factor of 1.15. However, that is not an automatic award for every site within a broad opportunity area.
A field assessment remains essential, especially where existing trees, contaminated land, watercourses or priority habitats could change the ecological outcome.
Official West Midlands Local Habitat Map.
Local planning guidance
Is statutory BNG required for every West Midlands planning application?
No. Statutory BNG applies to qualifying planning applications, subject to exemptions and transitional provisions.
For new eligible 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, qualifying de minimis habitat impacts and certain wholly temporary developments permitted for five years or less. Each has separate legal conditions.
The previous specific self-build and custom-build exemption was removed for new applications made from 6 August 2026. Earlier applications and certain section 73 variations require their own saved-permission review.
A small site is not automatically exempt. Its planning red-line area and priority habitat effects still need checking.
Moreover, an exemption from statutory 10% BNG does not cancel protected species law, designated-site duties, tree constraints or relevant adopted Local Plan ecology policies.
For the full rules, see ACP's BNG exemptions guide and current GOV.UK exemptions.
Local planning guidance
Birmingham: TP8 biodiversity and the new Local Plan review
Birmingham City Council adopted its Birmingham Development Plan 2031 on 10 January 2017.
Its relevant provisions include TP8, Biodiversity and Geodiversity, and TP7, Green Infrastructure Network. These guide habitat protection and opportunities for ecological improvement.
Birmingham contains an extensive urban green network. Sites near existing parkland, wooded areas, canals or watercourses may require more than a basic metric workbook.
Is the replacement Birmingham Local Plan adopted?
No. Birmingham is preparing a replacement Local Plan to 2044.
A Focused Preferred Options consultation ran from 23 October to 19 December 2025. The council was preparing a future publication-stage plan during 2026.
The replacement remains an emerging plan. The current adopted 2017 plan remains the policy starting point, alongside relevant saved and neighbourhood provisions.
Official: Birmingham Development Plan and new Local Plan.
Local planning guidance
Coventry: GE3, the adopted BNG SPD and plan examination
Coventry's Local Plan 2011–2031 was adopted on 6 December 2017. Its relevant policies include GE3, Biodiversity, Geological, Landscape and Archaeological Conservation, GE1 Green Infrastructure, and GE4 Tree Protection.
The council also adopted a dedicated Biodiversity Net Gain Supplementary Planning Document on 13 December 2022. It supports the adopted plan but does not create a separate national statutory exemption system.
The SPD predates the August 2026 exemption changes. Therefore, current national requirements must take precedence where older wording conflicts.
What is happening with Coventry's replacement?
Coventry submitted its Local Plan Review on 9 September 2025. Examination hearings ran during spring 2026.
A Main Modifications consultation closed on 1 October 2026. The examination process was still progressing, with the 2017 plan remaining the adopted starting point.
Official: Coventry Local Plan Review and Coventry ecology guidance.
Local planning guidance
Dudley: a newly adopted Local Plan and DLP32 BNG
Dudley adopted its Local Plan to 2041 on 13 July 2026. This is a major difference from the other Black Country councils that still rely on older adopted plans.
The adopted plan contains DLP31, Nature Conservation, and DLP32, Nature Recovery Network and Biodiversity Net Gain.
DLP32 expects at least 10% BNG for qualifying development. It also addresses the role of nature recovery, local habitat connections and the management of improvements.
Other provisions include DLP33 on trees and woodland, DLP34 on hedgerows and DLP53 on the River Stour and its tributaries.
Is Dudley's 20% tree-canopy ambition a 20% BNG target?
No. Dudley's separate tree-canopy provisions concern tree cover and landscape design. They must not be described as a universal 20% biodiversity net gain requirement.
The adopted DLP32 BNG provision uses 10% for qualifying development. Its preference for local and onsite habitat measures also needs reading alongside the updated national gain hierarchy for eligible non-major applications from August 2026.
Dudley has also begun preliminary preparation of another new-system Local Plan. That early work does not cancel the newly adopted July 2026 plan.
Official: Dudley adopted Local Plan and DLP31–DLP32 adopted policy text.
Local planning guidance
Sandwell: the adopted Black Country framework and two plan processes
Sandwell's operative planning framework includes the 2011 Black Country Core Strategy and the Site Allocations and Delivery Development Plan Document adopted in December 2012.
Relevant nature conservation and ecological-network policy includes the former Black Country ENV1, Nature Conservation, together with applicable Sandwell allocations and Area Action Plans.
The proposed Sandwell Local Plan was submitted for examination in December 2024. Its Main Modifications consultation closed in March 2026.
However, Sandwell Council says it is still waiting for the inspector's final report. The plan has not been confirmed as adopted.
Separately, Sandwell Local Plan 2 began preparation under the new plan-making system on 30 October 2026.
Neither consultation nor commencing a later plan makes either draft an adopted replacement for current decisions.
Official: Sandwell planning policy, Sandwell Local Plan examination, Sandwell Local Plan 2.
Local planning guidance
Solihull: adopted P10 and October–December 2026 consultation
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council adopted its Local Plan on 3 December 2013.
Policy P10, Natural Environment, addresses biodiversity, habitats and the natural environment. Relevant water-management and green infrastructure provisions also matter.
Some historic housing allocations were affected by a 2014 High Court decision. Therefore, an applicant should check the current adopted policy and its map rather than relying on an unqualified old site allocation.
Is Solihull's new Local Plan in force?
No. An earlier 2020 draft was withdrawn from examination in October 2024.
Solihull is preparing a new Local Plan 2026–2043. Its Regulation 19 consultation opened on 27 October 2026 and is scheduled to close on 11 December 2026.
The new plan remains emerging. The 2013 plan is the adopted starting point.
Official: Solihull adopted planning policy and 2026 Regulation 19 plan.
Local planning guidance
Walsall: current 2011/2019 policies and the 2026 draft
Walsall still uses the Black Country Core Strategy adopted in February 2011, together with its Site Allocations Document adopted in January 2019, Town Centre Area Action Plan and retained earlier policies.
The Black Country Core Strategy includes ENV1, Nature Conservation, supporting the protection and enhancement of ecological networks.
These adopted plans remain relevant to applications in places such as Walsall, Bloxwich, Aldridge, Willenhall and Brownhills.
A replacement Walsall Borough Local Plan completed its Regulation 19 consultation on 2 November 2026. The council intended to submit it for examination by 31 December 2026.
That submission timetable is not confirmation of adoption. Therefore, the 2011 and 2019 operative documents remain the appropriate starting point.
Official: Walsall current Black Country Core Strategy and Walsall draft consultation.
Local planning guidance
Wolverhampton: adopted Black Country policies and two emerging processes
Wolverhampton's current framework includes the 2011 Black Country Core Strategy, adopted Area Action Plans from 2014–2016 and retained 2006 Unitary Development Plan provisions.
The Black Country nature conservation policy, relevant local wildlife site protections and established green infrastructure still inform planning decisions.
The council issued informal Biodiversity Net Gain guidance in March 2024. It covers metric submissions, exemptions, significant onsite gains and habitat management.
However, this guidance predates the new August 2026 exemptions. The current national rules should be used when assessing a real application.
Wolverhampton submitted a replacement Local Plan in March 2025, which remains under examination.
It separately began a new-system Wolverhampton Plan process in mid-2026, with a longer adoption timetable. These are distinct processes, and neither should be described as already adopted without a formal decision.
Official: Wolverhampton planning policy and review.
Local planning guidance
What ecological information do West Midlands councils ask for?
For an application subject to statutory BNG, national information usually includes a statement about BNG applicability, the pre-development biodiversity value, completed metric, habitat plan and relevant degradation or irreplaceable-habitat information.
However, each council may ask for additional information, depending on the development type and environmental constraints.
Birmingham publishes BNG additional information guidance with its application checklists. Coventry has its own validation list, updated in March 2025, and specialist ecology guidance.
Sandwell uses a local validation list adopted in September 2023. Some online wording suggests BNG applies to all applications, but statutory exemptions remain legally relevant.
Walsall's January 2024 guidance distinguishes outline and full applications, with metric, habitat plan and proposed delivery information. Wolverhampton's March 2024 note also covers significant onsite gain.
Dudley and Solihull have their own local-list and ecology policy requirements.
Therefore, do not submit one borough's list of reports to every West Midlands council. The actual authority, proposal type and current edition must be checked.
The formal Biodiversity Gain Plan is normally approved after permission and before development starts. It should not be confused with an initial BNG Statement or a draft plan requested during validation.
Local planning guidance
Urban brownfield land can contain important biodiversity
The West Midlands has extensive regeneration opportunities. Yet previously developed land is not necessarily ecologically unimportant.
Former industrial land, railway sidings and other unmanaged sites can support open mosaic habitats on previously developed land, species-rich grassland, scrub, ponds or valuable invertebrate habitat.
Such habitats may require detailed UKHab classification, condition assessment, protected species surveys and special treatment where they qualify as priority habitat.
This matters particularly under the 0.2-hectare site exemption. A small red-line site cannot qualify under that exemption if its development adversely affects onsite priority habitat.
Likewise, planting a standard lawn or a few ornamental trees may not provide a suitable metric trade for removing a more distinctive habitat.
Early design and habitat evidence can therefore be commercially and environmentally valuable, even for compact urban sites.
Local planning guidance
Canals, rivers, parks and nature recovery opportunities
The region contains a connected network of green and blue infrastructure, including historic canals, rivers, woodland and public parks.
WMCA's nature plans identify opportunities along rivers such as the Tame, Rea, Cole, Stour, Blythe and Sherbourne, and through canal corridors.
Existing trees, hedgerows, connected grassland and wetland areas can support wildlife movement and reduce flood or heat risks.
However, watercourse improvements must be ecologically and technically feasible. Flood management, contamination, channel form, protected species and maintenance responsibilities can all shape the design.
For example, an urban development may offer space for a more natural drainage edge. Yet this should not be assumed suitable without checking water quality, flooding and the current metric.
The Local Habitat Map can help target interventions. Still, the actual parcel survey and development drawings determine what can be delivered.
Local planning guidance
Fens Pools SAC: protected great crested newts need separate consideration
Fens Pools Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in Dudley is an internationally designated wildlife site.
JNCC identifies great crested newts as the qualifying interest. The site contains pools, grassland, scrub and former industrial habitats.
Where a proposal could affect the site or its ecological functions, an appropriate protected-site assessment may be needed.
Protected newts and other species can also require separate surveys, avoidance, mitigation or licensing under relevant law.
A 10% biodiversity metric result is not a substitute for these tests. Nor does a purchase of biodiversity units automatically resolve a Habitats Regulations issue.
Other important West Midlands sites include Sutton Park NNR and SSSI in Birmingham, known for woodland, heathland and wetlands. Sutton Park must not be mislabelled as a designated SAC.
Official sources: JNCC Fens Pools SAC and Birmingham Sutton Park.
Local planning guidance
Are WMCA habitat-bank units available to purchase?
WMCA is exploring a coordinated approach to local biodiversity gain delivery. Its programme research identifies potential habitat-bank projects linked to nature recovery.
For example, a WMCA feasibility programme describes 187 hectares of candidate enhancement land and an estimated 852 potential saleable units.
These figures are programme estimates, not evidence that those units have been created, registered, priced, offered for sale or allocated to particular developments.
For a real offsite BNG purchase, the applicant must verify suitable habitat trading, legal security, statutory gain-site registration and formal unit allocation.
Therefore, neither the regional LNRS nor a WMCA programme proposal should be presented as a ready-to-buy BNG catalogue.
Official: WMCA regional BNG delivery programme and national gain-site register.
Local planning guidance
Six steps for a West Midlands BNG assessment
1. Confirm the exact council, planning category and application date
Check the red-line boundary and correct local planning authority. Identify whether this is a new application, a saved permission, a section 73 variation or a special planning route.
2. Screen exemptions and ecological constraints
Apply the current August 2026 statutory exemption rules. Check priority habitats, SSSIs, SACs, protected species, trees, watercourses and brownfield habitat before relying on any exemption.
3. Record the habitat baseline
Undertake proportionate UKHab surveys and habitat condition assessments. Include separate hedgerow and watercourse data where relevant.
4. Check the current metric and LNRS mapping
Use an appropriate statutory biodiversity metric. The latest published version is 1.1.0 (3 November 2026), though earlier published statutory editions remain permitted.
Check the proposed habitat intervention against an eligible West Midlands LNRS mapped potential measure before assigning strategic significance.
5. Test habitat retention, creation and any offsite delivery
Avoid unnecessary habitat loss. Test realistic onsite gain and legally appropriate registered offsite options, with trading and spatial risks understood.
6. Prepare the formal Gain Plan and management arrangements
For qualifying permissions, the formal Biodiversity Gain Plan normally needs approval before development begins.
Significant onsite and registered offsite habitat gains generally require at least 30 years of legally secured management.
Read ACP's Biodiversity Gain Plan guidance and Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans for these stages.
Local planning guidance
Onsite habitat, registered offsite units and the gain hierarchy
The correct delivery approach depends on the statutory Biodiversity Gain Hierarchy and the site's ecological value.
For major development, avoid adverse effects where possible and prioritise suitable onsite enhancement or creation before registered offsite gain. Statutory credits remain the final option.
For qualifying non-major applications made on or after 6 August 2026, onsite enhancement, onsite creation and registered offsite gains have an equal level of preference under the revised hierarchy. Credits remain last.
Earlier permissions and some variations have separate saved rules.
Dudley's adopted Local Plan encourages local and onsite gain. Such planning policies must be considered alongside, but must not be mistaken for, an unchanged national hierarchy in every application category.
For commercial context, see ACP's offsite biodiversity units guidance.
Local planning guidance
West Midlands metropolitan BNG planning checklist
Use this checklist to gather the planning and habitat information for your project.
Need help with West Midlands BNG planning evidence?
Send ACP your site plan, development description and any existing ecological surveys. We can help scope the assessment and relevant council requirements.
Local planning guidance
How ACP Consultants can support your development
A useful BNG assessment should inform the scheme before the main design decisions become fixed.
ACP can help scope suitable habitat surveys, assess biodiversity metric inputs and evaluate practical onsite or registered offsite gain options.
For complex urban sites, the scope may need to address protected species, site contamination, watercourses, trees or priority brownfield habitat alongside the metric.
However, the right assessment depends on the actual planning authority, site condition and proposal. Not every metropolitan development requires identical surveys.
For broader advice, see ACP's BNG process guide and BNG consultant services.
Local planning guidance
Frequently asked questions about BNG in the West Midlands
Is BNG mandatory for every development in the West Midlands?
No. Most qualifying planning permissions must meet the statutory BNG objective, but exemptions and transitional provisions exist. The proposal type, application date, whole red-line site area and habitat impacts require checking.
Which seven councils does the West Midlands metropolitan area cover?
Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton. They are separate local planning authorities. The wider West Midlands region also includes other counties with their own policies.
Does WMCA determine all West Midlands BNG planning applications?
No. WMCA is responsible for the metropolitan LNRS and regional initiatives. Ordinary planning applications are usually determined by the relevant city or metropolitan borough council.
When was the West Midlands LNRS published?
WMCA's strategy document page was published in October 2025. The WMCA Board formally approved the strategy in November 2025, and the public launch announcement followed on 27 November.
Does the West Midlands LNRS map automatically increase BNG units?
No. A suitable habitat type and proposed action must match an eligible mapped potential measure and the current statutory metric. Being in an opportunity area alone does not award units.
Has Dudley adopted its new Local Plan?
Yes. Dudley adopted its Local Plan to 2041 on 13 July 2026. Policies DLP31 and DLP32 cover nature conservation and biodiversity net gain.
Does Dudley require 20% biodiversity net gain?
DLP32 specifies a minimum 10% for qualifying developments. Its separate tree-canopy ambitions are not a blanket 20% BNG requirement. Any site-specific adopted policy or ecology obligation should also be checked.
Are Solihull, Sandwell and Walsall's new Local Plans already adopted?
Not on this research date. Solihull's Regulation 19 consultation runs to 11 December 2026; Sandwell awaits its inspector report; Walsall's Regulation 19 consultation closed on 2 November, with submission still intended.
Can a site of 0.2 hectares or less be exempt?
For qualifying new applications made from 6 August 2026, the exemption can apply if the whole red-line site is no larger than 0.2 hectares and onsite priority habitat is not adversely affected. The full statutory conditions and older permission history must be checked.
Are self-build homes automatically exempt?
No. The former self-build and custom-build-specific exemption was removed for new applications made from 6 August 2026. A different exemption may apply if its separate criteria are satisfied.
Can biodiversity units replace surveys or mitigation for Fens Pools SAC?
No. Fens Pools is internationally protected for great crested newts. A relevant scheme may need separate Habitats Regulations screening, ecological surveys, avoidance, mitigation or licensing, regardless of its BNG metric result.
What should I send ACP for a West Midlands BNG quotation?
Send the site address or red-line plan, proposed works, current drawings, application stage and existing ecology information. Identifying the planning authority, habitat features and known protected-site issues helps define a proportionate scope.
Local planning guidance
Discuss biodiversity net gain for your West Midlands development
Whether you are designing new housing, developing a brownfield site or planning commercial regeneration, the starting point is the land and the correct planning route.
Tell ACP about your proposal. We can help identify appropriate habitat and biodiversity metric evidence, ecological constraints and next steps.
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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West Midlands Metropolitan Area BNG
Sources and references
Reviewed 8 November 2026.
Official planning and nature recovery sources
- GOV.UK Biodiversity Net Gain
- GOV.UK BNG exemptions
- Statutory biodiversity metric tools
- West Midlands LNRS and Local Habitat Map
- WMCA LNRS approval
- Birmingham Development Plan
- Coventry Local Plan review
- ecology guidance
- Dudley adopted Local Plan
- Sandwell planning policy
- Solihull planning policy
- Walsall current Black Country Core Strategy
- Wolverhampton Local Plan
- JNCC Fens Pools SAC
- Government gain-site register