Developing or submitting a planning application in Wigan and require Biodiversity Net Gain?
BNG is now a mandatory requirement – we specialise in providing compliant reports to achieve planning consent.
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Biodiversity Net Gain is now a standard requirement for most developments, and Wigan Council applies this expectation across a wide range of proposals. Each scheme must demonstrate how biodiversity on the site will increase from the confirmed baseline, supported by clear evidence and a defensible Metric. Planning officers use this information to judge whether the proposal meets national policy and aligns with Wigan’s local priorities. When BNG information is missing or unclear, applications can face validation problems or delays, so providing accurate baseline data and a workable uplift strategy is important for a smooth planning process in Wigan.
Planning officers in Wigan often request BNG information where development may affect key habitat networks, such as:
• River corridors along the Douglas
• Former mining land and brownfield sites with emerging habitat
• Local parks, woodland edges and community greenspace
• Rail lines, canals and transport routes that form linked habitat corridors
Clear and well presented BNG evidence helps avoid validation delays in Wigan.
We support projects across the Wigan borough, working in areas such as Wigan town centre, Leigh, Ashton in Makerfield, Hindley, Standish, Atherton, Ince, Tyldesley and the wider neighbourhoods within the Wigan local authority boundary.
Wigan Council encourages applicants to consider BNG requirements early in the design process so the planning team can clearly see how the required biodiversity uplift will be achieved. This usually involves confirming an accurate ecological baseline, completing a Metric that shows the change in biodiversity units and setting out a practical approach for delivering and securing the gains. These steps follow national policy under NPPF Section 15 and help ensure BNG submissions are robust when reviewed by planning officers.
Establishing the baseline at the outset reduces the likelihood of later amendments and supports a smoother planning process in Wigan.
We produce planning-ready BNG Assessments aligned toWigan’s policy expectations.
For developments in Wigan, our BNG assessments provide the key information planning officers expect. Each assessment includes:
• a verified UKHab baseline
• a clear and defensible Metric
• a practical uplift approach that suits the site
• planning ready reporting for validation
• optional long term management and gain plan material
This structure aligns with Wigan Council requirements and provides a straightforward route to demonstrating BNG.
Year-round, with optimal survey seasons
Completed once habitat data is verified.
Aligned with design progression and layout refinement.
Only if needed. PEA, EIA, and Protected Species surveys
Contact us and we’ll confirm exactly what your Wigan site requires and support a planning-ready, proportionate route forward.
Yes. Most planning applications in Wigan now require evidence that a development will deliver a measurable net gain in biodiversity.
You can review local planning guidance here:
Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council – Planning services main page: https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Resident/Planning-and-Building/Planning.aspx
Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council – Planning applications search portal: https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Resident/Planning-and-Building/Planning/Applications/Search-planning-applications.aspx
Warrington Borough Council – Nearby authority’s planning and environment page (useful for cross-borough context): https://www.warrington.gov.uk/info/200570/planning_and_building/42/planning_applications
Lancashire County Council – Minerals, waste and ecology policy page (relevant for wider ecological context around Wigan): https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/planning/environment/minerals-waste-and-environment/
BNG is commonly needed on sites near rivers such as the Croal, Tonge and their floodplains, former mill land, parks, wooded cloughs and transport corridors.
You should commission a BNG assessment early in the design process to avoid redesign later and support smooth validation
It typically includes a UKHab baseline habitat survey, the biodiversity metric calculation, habitat mapping and a plan for achieving and securing uplift.
Only in very limited circumstances defined by national policy. Many small urban and edge-of-town sites still need BNG evidence.
Off site biodiversity units within Greater Manchester may be used to meet requirements, and statutory credits are available only when no other options are suitable.
