Chichester BNG advice
Biodiversity Net Gain in Chichester
Plan your Chichester 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 Chichester site.
Local requirements
Chichester BNG requirements at a glance
| Check | Practical answer |
|---|---|
| Planning authority | Chichester District Council / South Downs National Park Authority where mapped — verify the actual parcel, any special planning jurisdiction and site type |
| Adopted development plan | Chichester Local Plan 2021–2039 adopted 19 August 2025 (outside South Downs National Park) |
| Specific biodiversity policies | NE5 – Biodiversity and Biodiversity Net Gain; NE6 – European-designated habitats; NE8 – Bird disturbance in harbours; NE17/NE20 – water management and nutrient issues |
| Emerging plan status | The council began scoping a new Chichester Local Plan 2045 in 2026, with consultation closing on 25 September 2026. This does not replace the adopted 2025 plan. A separate Southbourne allocation DPD was also at Regulation 19 in 2026. |
| LNRS | West Sussex Local Nature Recovery Strategy, Published 24 June 2026 (Cabinet approved 3 February 2026); West Sussex 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 Chichester
Confirm the planning authority
Chichester District Council handles applications in its plan area outside the South Downs National Park. Inside the Park, check the National Park Authority’s policies and decision arrangements.
See BNG in West Sussex and the South East regional guide.
Use the adopted development plan
Chichester Local Plan 2021–2039 adopted 19 August 2025 (outside South Downs National Park). Relevant policies include NE5 – Biodiversity and Biodiversity Net Gain; NE6 – European-designated habitats; NE8 – Bird disturbance in harbours; NE17/NE20 – water management and nutrient issues.
The council began work on a replacement plan to 2045 in 2026. The separate Southbourne allocation document also progressed through consultation. The adopted August 2025 plan remains the starting point.
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 Chichester
Use the local nature recovery map
The published West Sussex Local Nature Recovery Strategy provides priorities and mapped opportunities for habitat recovery. It was published on 24 June 2026.
For Chichester, consider Chichester and Pagham Harbour margins, downland edges, Southbourne farmland and urban green spaces. Match the actual site location and proposed habitat to a relevant recovery measure.
Local habitats to consider in Chichester
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 |
|---|---|
| Chichester and Pagham Harbours | Saltmarsh, mudflats, coastal grazing marsh and bird-related functional habitats may need separate HRA screening. |
| South Downs foothills and National Park parcels | Chalk grassland, wooded slopes and sensitive landscapes; check the separate Park LPA. |
| Coastal plain and Southbourne | Hedgerows, ponds, farmland margins and potential strategic wildlife corridors. |
| Urban Chichester regeneration land | Urban tree cover and retained green infrastructure can be important in otherwise hardstanding sites. |
Plan protected-site and species evidence
Proposals affecting Chichester or Pagham Harbour may need protected-site evidence for birds, recreational pressure, water quality or other credible pathways. Identify the designation and the effects of the actual development.
Coordinate any Habitats Regulations work, nutrient mitigation and bird-disturbance measures with the habitat assessment. Check South Downs National Park jurisdiction separately for downland parcels.
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 Chichester, survey Chichester and Pagham Harbour margins, downland edges, Southbourne farmland and urban green spaces 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 |
|---|---|
| Chichester and Pagham Harbours | Can the proposal avoid impacts? Saltmarsh, mudflats, coastal grazing marsh and bird-related functional habitats may need separate HRA screening. |
| South Downs foothills and National Park parcels | What would retaining or improving connectivity involve? Chalk grassland, wooded slopes and sensitive landscapes; check the separate Park LPA. |
| Coastal plain and Southbourne | Do the existing habitats or species interests restrict the proposed gain type? Hedgerows, ponds, farmland margins and potential strategic wildlife corridors. |
| Urban Chichester regeneration land | Can the layout integrate useful green infrastructure? Urban tree cover and retained green infrastructure can be important in otherwise hardstanding sites. |
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
The adopted 2025 plan guides development outside the National Park. Around Southbourne and the coastal plain, compare site allocations with hedgerows, ponds and wildlife connections. Urban Chichester redevelopment may instead focus on retained trees and useful green infrastructure.
A practical Chichester planning example
Illustration: a coastal-plain housing site contains hedges, grassland and a pond. Map their condition, retain connected habitat and test feasible gains. Check separately whether new residents or drainage could affect a designated harbour, then coordinate the mitigation and habitat delivery programme.
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 West Sussex 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 Chichester 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.
Allow separately for any relevant harbour bird-disturbance measures, nutrient mitigation, legal agreements and monitoring. These should have distinct scopes and quotations alongside BNG assessment and habitat delivery.
Planning evidence
Chichester 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 Chichester planning and evidence route
Use these questions to organise the planning, habitat and delivery information for your site.
Which authority and adopted plan apply?
Chichester District Council handles applications in its plan area outside the South Downs National Park. Inside the Park, check the National Park Authority’s policies and decision arrangements.
Chichester Local Plan 2021–2039 adopted 19 August 2025 (outside South Downs National Park). Relevant policies include NE5 – Biodiversity and Biodiversity Net Gain; NE6 – European-designated habitats; NE8 – Bird disturbance in harbours; NE17/NE20 – water management and nutrient issues.
How should I treat emerging policies?
The council began work on a replacement plan to 2045 in 2026. The separate Southbourne allocation document also progressed through consultation. The adopted August 2025 plan remains the starting point.
Establish the applicable gain target using current national policy, any relevant up-to-date site-allocation policy and existing permission.
How do I use the nature recovery map?
Match the actual site and proposed habitat to a relevant measure in the West Sussex Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Record the map and survey evidence supporting the metric entry.
Could an exemption apply?
For applications from 6 August 2026, sites up to 0.2 hectares may qualify if no onsite priority habitat is adversely affected. Other exemptions and transitional provisions have separate conditions. Record the development type, date, red-line area and habitat evidence.
Which separate ecological issues matter?
Proposals affecting Chichester or Pagham Harbour may need protected-site evidence for birds, recreational pressure, water quality or other credible pathways. Identify the designation and the effects of the actual development.
Coordinate any Habitats Regulations work, nutrient mitigation and bird-disturbance measures with the habitat assessment. Check South Downs National Park jurisdiction separately for downland parcels.
When is the final gain plan needed?
For eligible ordinary applications, the statutory Biodiversity Gain Plan is normally approved after permission and before development starts. Agree earlier planning evidence with the authority and identify feasible management and any off-site delivery route.
Details to gather before an enquiry
Project support
How ACP can help with your Chichester project
ACP can help scope the habitat surveys, metric calculations and planning reports needed for your Chichester proposal. Early advice is most useful while the layout can still change.
We can consider Chichester and Pagham Harbour margins, downland edges, Southbourne farmland and urban green spaces alongside the site’s planning route and proposed works.
Local planning questions
Frequently asked questions about BNG in Chichester
For a site-specific question, discuss your project with ACP.
Which Chichester Local Plan is adopted?
The 2021–2039 Local Plan was adopted on 19 August 2025 and applies to district land outside South Downs National Park.
Does NE5 require 20% BNG?
NE5 provides for at least 10% gain on qualifying schemes, subject to current national law and exemptions. Establish any site-specific obligation from the allocation, permission and applicable national policy.
Can harbour recreational mitigation be paid in biodiversity units?
No. HRA-based bird-disturbance mitigation and the statutory habitat metric are distinct obligations.
Does the Southbourne DPD replace the adopted plan?
No. The allocation DPD was at a consultation stage in 2026. Check its current adoption status and site allocation relevance.
Which habitat surveys might a site in Chichester need?
Scope the assessment around the habitats and proposed effects. In Chichester, relevant settings include Chichester and Pagham Harbour margins, downland edges, Southbourne farmland and urban green spaces. 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 Chichester 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 Chichester?
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 in Chichester?
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
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Chichester BNG
Sources and references
Reviewed 10 November 2026.
Official planning and nature recovery sources
- Current GOV.UK exemption guidance
- West Sussex LNRS
- Appropriate assessment guidance
- Chichester adopted 2025 Local Plan
- Adopted policy NE5
- Adopted plan environment policy index
- Emerging 2045 plan and Southbourne DPD
- Planning obligations SPD adopted 2026
- GOV.UK's BNG guidance
- statutory biodiversity metric downloads
- National Planning Policy Framework: biodiversity policies N1 and N2