Biodiversity Gain Plan
Planning-ready documentation that translates your BNG evidence into a clear, regulator-compliant plan — structured exactly to LPA and statutory requirements.
Do you need a Biodiversity Gain Plan?
You’ll need a Biodiversity Gain Plan (BGP) if your development triggers the statutory BNG requirement under the Environment Act 2021.
Even when your BNG Assessment is complete, planners still require a formalised plan setting out:
how biodiversity gain will be delivered
how it will be maintained for 30 years
who is responsible for delivery and monitoring
how risks are controlled
how evidence satisfies the BNG register
If this document is missing or unclear, planners will not sign off your BNG condition.
What is a Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment?
A Biodiversity Gain Plan is the final step between BNG evidence and planning approval. It is a formal planning document required under the Environment Act 2021 to legally demonstrate how you will achieve the mandatory 10% biodiversity net gain.
It translates your BNG metric, baseline evidence and design measures into a structured plan that LPAs can approve with confidence.
Trigger points — when you need a Biodiversity Gain Plan
A Biodiversity Gain Plan is required when:
BNG is a validation requirement
the LPA has imposed a BNG condition
the project involves habitat loss
the BNG metric shows an uplift requirement
habitat creation must be secured for 30 years
If any apply, you will need a fully evidenced, planning-ready plan before you can lawfully begin development.
How is a Biodiversity Gain Plan different from a BNG Assessment or Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan?
Purpose: quantify biodiversity change
Output: DEFRA Metric 4.0 calculation
When: before design freeze / planning submission
Audience: design teams, planners, ecologists
Depth: technical, evidence-led
Purpose: satisfy the legal BNG condition
Output: statutory-compliant plan for LPA approval and the BNG Register
When: AFTER BNG Assessment, BEFORE permission or condition discharge
Audience: planning officers, legal teams, Natural England
Depth: formal, structured, compliance-focused
Think of it as the difference between calculating the uplift and legally securing it.
Purpose: long-term delivery
Output: 30-year habitat management and monitoring framework
When: after BNG approval, before condition discharge or commencement
Audience: LPAs, ecologists, site managers, long-term stewards
Depth: detailed and operational
What We Deliver
We keep guidance clear and planning-ready, supporting predictable project delivery.
| Component | Purpose | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Baseline Summary | Confirm pre-development condition | Strong foundation for the plan |
| Uplift Summary | Show how the 10% gain is achieved | Clear, measurable trajectory |
| On-site Measures | Define creation and enhancement works | Practical, buildable actions |
| Off-site Measures (if needed) | Confirm units, providers and evidence | Fully compliant off-site strategy |
| Management & Monitoring (30 years) | Secure long-term habitat success | Predictable compliance |
| Roles & Responsibilities | Assign delivery tasks | Clear accountability |
| Mapping & Parcel References | Match metric parcels to habitats | Clean alignment for planners |
| Submission-ready BGP Document | Meet statutory requirements | Approval with minimal queries |
How it Works
Our process is designed to remove friction and keep decisions moving.
Review
We review your BNG Assessment, site plans and uplift route.
Drafting
We produce the structured Biodiversity Gain Plan against statutory requirements.
Integration
We align the plan with contractors, phasing and real-world delivery.
Submission Support
We handle LPA queries and refine the plan if required.
Timing & Programme Integration
Biodiversity Gain Plans can be prepared year-round, but delays arise when baseline data is missing, uplift measures aren’t costed or mapped, or off-site units are not secured in advance.
BNG Screening Assessment
year-round
BNG Assessment
year-round
Biodiversity Gain Plan
Year-round
Early preparation keeps the BNG pathway stable and prevents last-minute submission failure.
Why planning officers request Biodiversity Gain Plans
Local planning authorities must be able to show that biodiversity uplift is real, measurable and deliverable for at least 30 years, with risks controlled and any off-site units properly registered. A Biodiversity Gain Plan is where that evidence is laid out clearly, so planners can sign it off and your project can move forward.
These are the benchmarks LPAs use to test your submission:
-
Environment Act 2021
-
BNG Regulations and Guidance
-
DEFRA Biodiversity Metric 4.0
-
Natural England BNG Standards & Guidance
-
Local Planning Policy and Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs)
Without a structured BGP, planners will issue:
-
validation queries
-
requests for BGP revisions
-
conditions preventing commencement
-
deferrals or refusal
A strong BGP protects your timeline by showing planners that delivery is organised, allocated and evidenced.
Our Approach
We translate ecological evidence into a clear delivery document — aligning BNG with design, programme and costs.
Our planning-ready Biodiversity Gain Plan includes:
a clear summary of baseline habitats
your proposed uplift and delivery route
on-site and off-site measures
mapping and parcel references
management and monitoring for 30 years
responsibilities, milestones, and reporting structure
evidence linking directly to the statutory Biodiversity Gain Register
Its purpose: turn ecological data into a compliant, approvable route through planning.
The outcome: a proportionate, defensible plan that planners can approve without multiple revision rounds.
How this supports your project
A well-structured Biodiversity Gain Plan:
gives planners confidence that uplift is deliverable
prevents condition discharge delays
protects the programme from seasonal constraints
integrates seamlessly with BNG, PEA and EIA ecology
reduces risk of redesign late in the process
clarifies responsibilities for contractors and land managers
Clear plan. Predictable uplift. Smooth sign-off.
Case Insight
Your Next Step
Get the ecological clarity that keeps your design on track.
Phone: 0800 494 7479
Email: [email protected]
BGP FAQ - Planning and Programme Clarity
Is a Biodiversity Gain Plan different from a BNG Assessment?
Yes. The BNG Assessment produces the metric, baseline, uplift route and ecological evidence. The Biodiversity Gain Plan is the formal planning document required for validation that explains how uplift will be delivered, monitored and secured for 30 years.
Do all developments need a Biodiversity Gain Plan?
Only developments legally required to deliver statutory BNG. Householder applications, very low-impact schemes and qualifying self-build projects are exempt. We confirm your position immediately.
What must a Biodiversity Gain Plan include?
Full metric inputs, baseline habitat maps, uplift measures, long-term management commitments, evidence of off-site units (if used), and confirmation that the design meets national and local BNG requirements. Any missing element risks validation failure.
Can we submit planning without a completed Biodiversity Gain Plan?
Most LPAs now require the BGP at validation, especially for major applications. Submitting without it often results in immediate invalidation or a request to resubmit.
Does the Biodiversity Gain Plan replace the BNG metric?
No. The metric is the technical calculation. The Biodiversity Gain Plan is the structured narrative that shows planners how uplift will be achieved and legally secured.
What if our design cannot deliver the 10% on-site?
You can use off-site units or statutory credits. We assess the deficit, confirm the most proportionate alternative and ensure evidence meets Natural England and LPA expectations.
How long does a Biodiversity Gain Plan take to produce?
Typically one to two weeks after the BNG Assessment is completed. Longer delays occur when baseline surveys or metric inputs are still outstanding.
Do LPAs check off-site unit legitimacy?
Yes. They require proof that units are registered, measurable, and matched to your project’s deficit. Any ambiguity can stall determination.
How does long-term management factor into planning?
LPAs must see a realistic 30-year management plan. We set out responsibilities, monitoring intervals, costed actions and measurable outcomes that withstand scrutiny.
What information do you need to start?
A red-line boundary, the latest layout, the completed BNG metric (or instruction to produce it), and any ecological baseline reports you already hold.
