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:
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Environment Act 2021
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BNG Regulations and Guidance
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DEFRA Biodiversity Metric 4.0
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Natural England BNG Standards & Guidance
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Local Planning Policy and Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs)
Without a structured BGP, planners will issue:
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validation queries
-
requests for BGP revisions
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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]
Areas We Cover
We cover many areas across England and Wales. Click below to find out more.
BGP FAQ - Planning and Programme Clarity
What is a Biodiversity Gain Plan in planning terms?
A Biodiversity Gain Plan is the formal document used to discharge biodiversity net gain planning conditions. It translates the approved BNG metric and ecological strategy into a clear, submission-ready format that LPAs can assess and approve. It confirms how biodiversity uplift will be delivered, monitored and secured over the required 30-year period.
Is Biodiversity Net Gain mandatory?
Biodiversity Net Gain is now a statutory requirement for many large developments in England. Major developments are subject to the requirement from February 2024, with smaller sites offering some exemption. Where BNG applies, a compliant Biodiversity Gain Plan is required to confirm how the approved strategy will be delivered.
What types of development does Biodiversity Net Gain apply to?
Biodiversity Net Gain applies to most developments that impact habitat or land use, including residential, commercial and mixed-use schemes. Certain exemptions exist, such as householder applications and some low-impact developments, but these must be confirmed carefully. Where applicable, the requirement is secured through planning conditions, making early clarity essential.
Is a Biodiversity Gain Plan different from a BNG Assessment?
Yes — they perform different roles within the planning process.
- A BNG Assessment establishes the biodiversity baseline and produces the metric
- A Biodiversity Gain Plan formalises that approved outcome into a planning document
The plan confirms delivery and compliance, rather than generating or recalculating the strategy.
When should a Biodiversity Gain Plan be submitted?
In most cases, LPAs expect the Biodiversity Gain Plan either at validation or as part of condition discharge prior to commencement. Submitting without it can delay validation or prevent conditions from being discharged. In practice, the plan is prepared once the metric and layout are finalised and aligned.
Can we submit planning without a completed Biodiversity Gain Plan?
This depends on how the LPA structures BNG requirements, but it is often high risk. Where required at validation, omission will result in an invalid application. Where secured by condition, development cannot begin until the plan is approved, so delays still directly affect programme.
What must a Biodiversity Gain Plan include?
A Biodiversity Gain Plan must clearly reflect the approved biodiversity strategy in a format LPAs can rely on.
It typically includes:
- The approved metric position
- Baseline habitat information and plans
- Confirmed habitat creation and enhancement measures
- Details of any off-site biodiversity units
- A 30-year management and monitoring framework
Any inconsistency between these elements can delay validation or lead to rejection.
How do you discharge a Biodiversity Gain Plan condition?
Discharging a Biodiversity Gain Plan condition requires submission of a compliant, fully aligned document that reflects the approved metric and planning decision. The LPA must be satisfied that biodiversity uplift is clearly defined, deliverable and secured. Approval of this condition is often required before development can legally commence.
Does the Biodiversity Gain Plan replace the BNG metric?
No — both are required and serve different purposes.
- The BNG metric is the technical calculation
- The Biodiversity Gain Plan is the formal planning document
The metric defines the outcome, while the plan demonstrates how that outcome will be delivered and secured.
What if our design cannot deliver the 10% on-site?
This is resolved at the BNG Assessment stage rather than within the Biodiversity Gain Plan itself.
Where on-site delivery is not achievable, alternatives may include:
- Off-site biodiversity units
- Statutory biodiversity credits
The plan then formalises the agreed approach, rather than redesigning it.
Do LPAs check off-site unit legitimacy?
Yes — this is a key part of validation and determination. LPAs require evidence that off-site units are measurable, secured and correctly allocated to the development. Any gaps or inconsistencies can delay approval or prevent the condition from being discharged.
How does long-term management factor into planning?
Long-term management is a fundamental requirement of Biodiversity Net Gain. The Biodiversity Gain Plan must show how habitats will be managed, monitored and maintained for at least 30 years. This ensures the approved uplift is deliverable, enforceable and capable of withstanding scrutiny.
How long does a Biodiversity Gain Plan take to produce?
A Biodiversity Gain Plan is typically prepared within one to two weeks once the metric and design are finalised. Timescales extend where inputs are incomplete or the strategy is still changing. The most efficient route is to prepare the plan from a stable, approved position.
What information is needed to prepare a Biodiversity Gain Plan?
Preparation requires a clear, approved or near-final biodiversity strategy.
This typically includes:
- The completed BNG metric
- Site layout and habitat plans
- Ecological surveys or baseline reports
- Off-site unit details where relevant
The plan is built from this information rather than generating it.
How much does a Biodiversity Gain Plan cost?
Where a Biodiversity Net Gain assessment has already been completed and approved, preparation of the statutory Biodiversity Gain Plan typically starts from £250 + VAT. This covers preparation of the formal document, alignment with the approved metric and submission-ready documentation for condition discharge. Where revisions or recalculations are required, fees are quoted separately.
Does a Biodiversity Gain Plan replace a Biodiversity Net Gain assessment?
No — a Biodiversity Gain Plan does not replace a Biodiversity Net Gain assessment. The assessment establishes the ecological baseline and metric outputs, while the plan formalises that approved position for planning validation and condition discharge. Both are required to progress through planning successfully.
