Planning-ready BNG Assessments and Biodiversity Gain Plans in Tamworth, providing clear biodiversity calculations, practical gain strategies and ecological support from initial assessment through to the planning process.
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Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an important consideration for development projects across Tamworth. Where the statutory BNG requirements apply, development must demonstrate how the required biodiversity gain will be achieved and secured.
Tamworth’s development landscape includes residential schemes, commercial development, infrastructure and redevelopment, with sites ranging from built-up areas to land containing grassland, woodland, hedgerows, trees and water features. These different site characteristics can influence the biodiversity baseline and the opportunities available for delivering BNG.
Tamworth Borough Council provides specific guidance on the biodiversity information required as part of the planning process, with qualifying developments expected to demonstrate and deliver measurable biodiversity gains.
Considering BNG early can help identify the ecological value of a site and allow biodiversity measures to be incorporated into the development design before plans become fixed.
We support projects across Tamworth, covering neighbourhoods such as the town centre, Glascote, Belgrave, Amington, Stonydelph, Bolehall, Wilnecote and the surrounding communities within the borough boundary.
A BNG Assessment establishes the existing biodiversity value of a development site and considers how the proposed scheme will affect that value.
Our ecologists assess the habitats present and use the statutory biodiversity metric to calculate the biodiversity units for the existing and proposed site. The metric considers factors including habitat type, size, condition and strategic significance.
A Tamworth BNG Assessment may include:
A BNG Assessment can help establish:
The statutory metric can also be used throughout the design process to compare different BNG approaches and refine the development before the final calculation is submitted. Government guidance recommends using the metric early and repeatedly rather than treating it as a one-off exercise.
A Biodiversity Gain Plan serves a different purpose from the BNG Assessment.
Where statutory BNG applies, the Biodiversity Gain Plan demonstrates how the required biodiversity gain will be achieved and is submitted to the Local Planning Authority following planning permission and before development commences.
The plan brings together the final biodiversity position, metric calculation and proposed habitat delivery measures, providing the information needed for the planning authority to determine whether the biodiversity gain condition can be discharged.
The BNG Assessment provides the baseline information and calculations that inform the Biodiversity Gain Plan.
The assessment establishes the pre-development biodiversity value and models the proposed development. This information then helps define the measures required to achieve the appropriate biodiversity gain and forms part of the evidence used within the Gain Plan.
The Biodiversity Gain Plan can include:
Government guidance confirms that the completed metric calculation and relevant habitat plans are submitted as part of the Biodiversity Gain Plan.
Although they are closely linked, 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 information, 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 BNG delivery strategy, including relevant on-site and off-site measures.
The BNG Assessment establishes the biodiversity position; 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 sites and planning contexts.
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 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 development proposals, available plans and existing ecological information to establish the likely BNG requirements.
Our ecologists assess and map the habitats within the relevant site boundary, collecting the information required 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 opportunities to retain, enhance and create habitats and consider the most appropriate route towards achieving the required biodiversity gain.
The BNG information can help inform the wider planning and design process, allowing biodiversity considerations to be incorporated into the development.
Where required, we 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 Tamworth 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 Tamworth 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 Tamworth 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.
