Biodiversity Enhancement Plans
Clear, planning-ready evidence of biodiversity improvements where Net Gain is not mandatory.
Do you need a Biodiversity Enhancement Plan?
You may be asked for a Biodiversity Enhancement Plan where:
- Biodiversity Net Gain is not legally triggered, but biodiversity improvement is still expected
- The Local Planning Authority requests ecological uplift evidence to support validation
- Your site is small, exempt, or phased in a way that falls outside mandatory BNG
- Landscape proposals need to be justified in ecological terms
- Planning policy requires measurable environmental benefit, not just mitigation
In simple terms, this Plan explains what biodiversity improvements will be delivered, where they will occur, and how they will be achieved — without relying on the statutory BNG framework.
What is a Biodiversity Enhancement Plan?
A Biodiversity Enhancement Plan sets out how a development will improve biodiversity beyond baseline, even where statutory Biodiversity Net Gain does not apply. Planning authorities often request one to support validation, justify landscape proposals, or demonstrate policy compliance on smaller or exempt schemes.
Common enhancement features:
The guidance below relates to commonly requested, straightforward enhancement measures. Where bespoke solutions are proposed, the Plan should explain the reasoning and reference relevant guidance or best practice.
Bird and bat boxes
- Integrated boxes or bricks are preferred wherever possible. These are typically more durable and longer-lasting than retrofitted units.
- Integrated installations should align with British Standard BS 42021:2022 (Integral nest boxes. Selection and installation for new developments. Specification).
- Woodcrete boxes are generally preferred, as they offer greater longevity than timber alternatives.
Key Differences: BNG, BGP and BEP
Biodiversity Enhancement Plans are often requested alongside other biodiversity documents, depending on the scale and stage of development.
BNG is the legal requirement that sits behind many modern planning decisions. It defines what level of biodiversity improvement is required.
- Required by law under the Environment Act 2021
- Sets a minimum biodiversity uplift that developments must achieve
- Calculated using the statutory biodiversity metric
- Applies to most new developments, with limited exemptions
In short, BNG sets the target, but it does not explain how that target will be delivered on site.
Once BNG applies, a Biodiversity Gain Plan is the document that unlocks the site start. It shows how the required gain will actually happen.
- Acts as the legal delivery plan for BNG
- Required to discharge the BNG planning condition
- Explains where habitats will be created, who delivers them, and when
- Must be approved before development can lawfully begin
Without an approved BGP, planning permission often cannot be implemented.
A Biodiversity Enhancement Plan sits outside the statutory BNG framework and is used where planning policy still expects improvement, even if formal BNG is not the route being used.
- A planning-support document, not a statutory requirement
- Focuses on proportionate biodiversity improvement
- Does not use the statutory BNG metric
- Commonly requested on smaller, exempt or early-stage schemes
It provides planning officers with confidence that biodiversity has been properly considered and improved.
Our Process
Review & Scope
We review your site, planning context and any ecology or landscape inputs to confirm what level of biodiversity enhancement is appropriate and proportionate.
Enhancement Strategy
We define realistic biodiversity improvements, map where they will be delivered, and align them with planning policy and layout proposals.
Submission & Support
The Plan is issued in a submission-ready format, with support provided to address any planning officer or consultee queries.
What We Deliver
To support validation and decision-making, a Biodiversity Enhancement Plan will typically include:
| What We Provide | Benefit | |
|---|---|---|
| Clear plans | Enhancement features clearly shown on layout and elevation drawings. | No uncertainty about locations on site. |
| Feature specification | Simple details of what is being installed and how. | Clear requirements for contractors. |
| Installation guidance | Advice on height, position and orientation. | Features work properly from day one. |
| Management advice | Straightforward guidance to keep features effective. | Long-term value without added complexity. |
| Ecological context | Short explanation of how features support local wildlife. | Clear planning justification. |
| Homeowner information | Brief leaflet or letter explaining features and why they matter. | Better understanding and compliance. |
Case Insight
Your Next Step
If planning officers have asked for biodiversity improvements, we’ll confirm the right approach and prepare a clear, proportionate Biodiversity Enhancement Plan that supports approval.
Phone: 0800 494 7479
Email: [email protected]
Biodiversity Enhancement Plan FAQs
Why has the planning officer asked for biodiversity improvements if BNG hasn’t been mentioned?
Local planning policies often require biodiversity enhancement even where statutory Biodiversity Net Gain is not triggered. A Biodiversity Enhancement Plan gives the council confidence that ecological improvement has been properly considered and delivered in a proportionate way.
Is a Biodiversity Enhancement Plan the same as a Biodiversity Gain Plan?
No. A Biodiversity Gain Plan is a legal document used to discharge a mandatory BNG condition. A Biodiversity Enhancement Plan is a planning-support document used where improvement is expected, but statutory BNG is not the route being applied.
See official government guidance under the Environmental Act 2021 for further info: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2021/30/schedule/14
Will submitting a Biodiversity Enhancement Plan trigger full BNG requirements later?
No. A properly scoped Biodiversity Enhancement Plan does not trigger statutory BNG. It is designed to remain proportionate and aligned with the planning request, without escalating obligations unnecessarily.
What types of development usually need a Biodiversity Enhancement Plan?
They are commonly requested on small residential schemes, exempt developments, change-of-use projects, early-stage applications, or where landscape proposals need clearer ecological justification.
Can a Biodiversity Enhancement Plan help avoid planning delays or refusal?
Yes. Where planning officers are seeking reassurance on biodiversity, a clear Enhancement Plan can resolve validation issues, reduce follow-up queries, and strengthen the planning balance in favour of approval.
Does a Biodiversity Enhancement Plan need ecological surveys?
Not always. The scope depends on the site and planning context. Many Enhancement Plans can be prepared using existing information, site layout and landscape proposals, without triggering additional survey requirements.
Can a Biodiversity Enhancement Plan be used alongside landscaping or SuDS proposals?
Yes. Enhancement measures are often integrated with landscaping, drainage and green infrastructure, but the Plan clearly explains how these features deliver biodiversity improvement, not just visual amenity.
What happens if my scheme later becomes subject to Biodiversity Net Gain?
If statutory BNG applies at a later stage, the Enhancement Plan can inform or transition into more formal documentation. It provides a useful foundation without needing to be rewritten from scratch.
