Habitat Management & Monitoring Plan (HMMP)
Long-term habitat management and monitoring plans that secure compliance, protect biodiversity uplift, and keep planning conditions on track nationwide.
Do you need a Habitat Management & Monitoring Plan (HMMP)?
You’ll need an HMMP when your development must demonstrate measurable habitat delivery after planning approval.
LPAs request HMMPs to prove that habitat creation, enhancement and long-term stewardship will be delivered as committed in your BNG, SAP, HAP or EIA ecology.
If your permission includes a BNG condition, long-term habitat enhancement, or post-construction ecological actions, an HMMP is almost always required.
Handled early, an HMMP protects your planning conditions from delays, avoids re-submission cycles, and gives contractors a clear, workable route to compliance.
What is an HMMP?
A Habitat Management & Monitoring Plan sets out how habitats will be created, enhanced and maintained for at least 30 years, with clear monitoring to prove success.
Its purpose is simple: secure your planning conditions and demonstrate long-term ecological delivery without uncertainty or drift.
Trigger points — signs you need an HMMP
You’ll likely need an HMMP if your application includes:
BNG uplift through habitat creation
enhancement of grassland, wetland, woodland or mosaics
long-term management conditions
post-construction ecological requirements
EIA or HRA recommendations
off-site BNG units linked to your scheme
conditions referencing “management”, “maintenance”, “long-term” or “monitoring”
When these appear, an HMMP is the document planners rely on for assurance.
How is a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan different from a BNG Assessment or Biodiversity Gain 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Habitat Baseline Review | Identify starting condition and constraints | Clear foundation for management |
| Management Objectives | Define targets for each habitat | Transparent goals for planners |
| Creation & Enhancement Measures | Set prescriptions for habitat establishment | Robust, achievable uplift |
| Annual Maintenance Actions | Detail tasks year by year | Predictable workload for contractors |
| Monitoring Framework | Indicators, frequency and success thresholds | Evidence for planning condition sign-off |
| Reporting Schedule | Clarify who submits what and when | No ambiguity for the LPA |
| Risk & Contingency Measures | Address failure points early | Programme and ecological resilience |
| 30-Year Delivery Plan | Secure long-term compliance | Confidence for planners and stakeholders |
How it Works
Our process is designed to remove friction and keep decisions moving.
Review & Scope
We review your BNG Assessment, SAP/HAP and planning conditions to define HMMP requirements.
Prescriptions & Management Plan
We develop clear, deliverable measures aligned to habitat type, condition targets and the DEFRA metric.
Monitoring & Reporting Framework
We set monitoring intervals, indicators and success criteria backed by Natural England standards.
Submission & Ongoing Support
You receive a planning-ready HMMP with optional monitoring support throughout the 30-year period.
Timing & Integration
Early preparation keeps your post-permission conditions predictable.
That’s how project control is maintained.
BNG Assessment
Year-round
Biodiversity Gain Plan
Year-round
HMMP
Year-round
Why planners request HMMPs
LPAs must be confident that habitat uplift is real, deliverable and maintained.
A clear HMMP gives them the evidence they need, aligned to:
Environment Act 2021
BNG Regulations
DEFRA Metric 4.0
Natural England BNG standards
Local plan policy and SPDs
Without an HMMP, projects often face:
delayed discharge of BNG or ecological conditions
repeat requests for missing information
pushback from consultees
increased scrutiny at the post-determination stage
stalled construction during compliance checks
Early clarity strengthens your submission and avoids administrative bottlenecks later.
Our Approach
ProHort HMMPs are written in plain English, aligned to planning conditions, and structured so contractors can deliver the actions without confusion.
We integrate ecology with design and site management, ensuring:
deliverable actions
measurable outcomes
practical sequencing
reports planners accept the first time
This is long-term ecology written for real-world construction and maintenance teams.
How this supports your project
A well-timed HMMP:
protects your BNG uplift from challenge
secures condition discharge without rework
aligns ecology with contractor workflows
prevents long-term management problems
keeps monitoring predictable and budgeted
demonstrates control and foresight to planners
Early clarity strengthens the entire 30-year delivery arc.
Case Insight
Your Next Step
Get the ecological clarity that keeps your design on track.
Phone: 0800 494 7479
Email: [email protected]
FAQ for HMMP
Where do HMMPs fit within ecological reporting?
HMMP vs BNG Assessment
BNG Assessment quantifies gain.
HMMP delivers and maintains the habitats that create that gain.
HMMP vs Biodiversity Gain Plan
Gain Plan satisfies the legal submission requirement.
HMMP fulfils the 30-year management and monitoring obligations that follow.
HMMP vs Species Action Plan (SAP)
SAPs are species-led.
HMMPs are habitat-led.
HMMP vs Habitat Action Plan (HAP)
HAPs define strategic habitat improvements.
HMMPs define both strategy and long-term delivery, with monitoring built in.
The HMMP is where planning conditions become long-term, trackable action.
Is an HMMP mandatory for every site with BNG?
It is required where the LPA sets long-term ecological conditions or where habitats contribute to BNG uplift. We confirm instantly from your permission.
How long does an HMMP cover?
Thirty years. This is a statutory expectation under the Environment Act and BNG regulations.
Do we need a full HMMP if we’re delivering off-site units?
Yes. LPAs expect clarity on management arrangements for any habitat contributing to uplift.
Can an HMMP be submitted without a final layout?
Only partially. Management actions depend on the final habitats, so we structure the plan around confirmed designs.
Who is responsible for HMMP delivery?
Responsibility varies by agreement, but the HMMP defines who manages, who monitors and who reports each year.
Can a poor HMMP delay condition discharge?
Yes. It is one of the most common causes of post-determination delay. Clarity avoids this.
Do we need separate SAPs or HAPs if we have an HMMP?
Sometimes. SAPs and HAPs are species- or habitat-specific. HMMPs integrate them but don’t replace them.
