Planning-ready BNG Assessments and Biodiversity Gain Plans in Stoke-on-Trent, providing clear biodiversity calculations, practical habitat strategies and ecological support throughout the planning process.
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Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an important consideration for development projects across Stoke-on-Trent. Where statutory BNG applies, developments must demonstrate how the required biodiversity gain will be achieved as part of the planning process.
Stoke-on-Trent’s development landscape includes urban regeneration, residential schemes, commercial projects and redevelopment of previously developed land, alongside sites containing existing green infrastructure, grassland, trees, hedgerows and watercourses. These different site characteristics can influence the biodiversity baseline and the opportunities available for delivering BNG.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s planning requirements identify Biodiversity Net Gain as a requirement for development applications except where national exemptions apply. This makes it important to establish the ecological baseline and BNG position at an appropriate stage of the development process.
Early BNG advice can help identify biodiversity considerations before the layout is finalised, allowing habitat retention, enhancement and creation to be considered alongside the wider development design.
We support projects across the city of Stoke-on-Trent, covering all neighbourhoods including Hanley, Stoke, Fenton, Longton, Burslem, Tunstall, Shelton, Etruria, Bentilee and the wider surrounding areas within the Stoke-on-Trent local authority boundary.
A BNG Assessment establishes the biodiversity value of a development site and assesses how the proposed scheme is expected to change that value.
Our ecologists assess the habitats present and use the statutory biodiversity metric to calculate biodiversity units associated with the existing site and proposed development. The metric considers factors including habitat type, size, condition, distinctiveness and strategic significance.
A Stoke-on-Trent BNG Assessment can include:
The assessment can be particularly valuable on redevelopment and regeneration sites, where the ecological value of previously developed land may not be immediately apparent. Existing grassland, scrub, trees and other habitats still need to be assessed accurately before the biodiversity position can be established.
A BNG Assessment helps determine:
Using the statutory metric early can also allow different design options to be compared and refined as a project develops. Government guidance recommends using the metric throughout the design process rather than treating it as a one-off calculation.
A Biodiversity Gain Plan has a different purpose from the BNG Assessment.
Where statutory BNG applies, the Biodiversity Gain Plan demonstrates how the development will achieve the required biodiversity gain and is submitted to the Local Planning Authority for approval before development commences.
The plan brings together the final BNG position, proposed habitat measures and relevant supporting information so the Local Planning Authority can determine whether the biodiversity gain condition can be discharged.
The BNG Assessment provides the baseline information and metric calculations that inform the Biodiversity Gain Plan.
The assessment establishes the site’s pre-development biodiversity value and models the proposed development. The resulting information can be used to define the habitat delivery strategy and demonstrate how the required biodiversity gain will be achieved.
The Biodiversity Gain Plan may include:
Government guidance states that the completed metric calculation and relevant habitat plans are submitted as part of the Biodiversity Gain Plan.
The plan must provide the Local Planning Authority with the information it needs to determine whether the biodiversity gain requirements have been met.
For phased developments, the BNG process can involve an overall Biodiversity Gain Plan alongside plans for individual phases, so the approach needs to reflect the structure of the permission.
Although they work together, a BNG Assessment and Biodiversity Gain Plan are not the same document.
Purpose: Establish the site’s biodiversity baseline and calculate how the proposed development changes its biodiversity value.
Typically undertaken: During the design and planning process.
Focus: Habitat assessment, baseline data, biodiversity units and opportunities for achieving BNG.
Purpose: Set out how the required biodiversity gain will be delivered and provide the information needed for the statutory planning process.
Typically prepared: Following planning permission and before the biodiversity gain condition is discharged.
Focus: Uses the findings and calculations from the BNG Assessment to define the agreed BNG delivery strategy, including relevant on-site and off-site measures.
The BNG Assessment provides the evidence and calculations; the Biodiversity Gain Plan uses this information to demonstrate how the required gain will be delivered.
Our in-house ecologists support development projects across a range of urban, rural and previously developed sites.
We provide clear, structured information designed to support applicants, designers, planners and Local Planning Authorities.
We consider how biodiversity measures can work alongside the proposed development, rather than focusing on the metric calculation alone.
Considering BNG early can identify biodiversity constraints and opportunities before they become more difficult or costly to address.
From BNG Assessment to Biodiversity Gain Plan, our ecology team can coordinate related requirements such as PEAs and protected species surveys.
We review the proposed development, available plans and existing ecological information to establish the likely BNG requirements.
Our ecologists assess and map the habitats within the relevant site boundary, recording the information needed for the biodiversity metric.
The habitat information is entered into the statutory biodiversity metric to establish the site’s biodiversity value and model the proposed development.
We identify practical opportunities to retain, enhance or create habitats and consider the most appropriate route towards achieving the required biodiversity gain.
The BNG information can be used alongside the wider planning and design process, helping ensure biodiversity considerations are incorporated into the development.
Where required, we can use the agreed BNG position and metric information to prepare the Biodiversity Gain Plan for submission following planning permission.
Contact us, and we’ll confirm exactly what your Stoke-on-Trent site requires. We provide a planning-ready, proportionate route forward.
Whether statutory BNG applies depends on the type and scale of the development and any applicable national exemptions or thresholds. ProHort can review your Stoke-on-Trent project and advise on the ecological information required.
A BNG Assessment establishes the site’s existing biodiversity value, assesses the habitats present and uses the statutory biodiversity metric to calculate the change in biodiversity value resulting from the proposed development.
BNG is best considered early in the planning and design process. An early assessment can identify biodiversity constraints and opportunities before the development layout is finalised.
A Biodiversity Gain Plan sets out how the required biodiversity gain will be achieved, including proposed habitat retention, enhancement and creation measures and any relevant off-site biodiversity provision.
Yes. ProHort can support Stoke-on-Trent developments from the initial BNG Assessment through to preparation of a Biodiversity Gain Plan where required.
This depends on the site’s existing habitats, proposed layout and opportunities for habitat creation or enhancement. Where the required gain cannot be achieved on site, other permitted routes may need to be considered.
Yes. The site’s biodiversity baseline and BNG requirements can influence habitat retention, landscaping and opportunities for habitat creation. Assessing BNG early can help integrate these considerations into the development design.
Timescales vary depending on the site’s size, habitats and project requirements. ProHort can review the development and advise on an appropriate programme before work begins.
