BNG Assessment & Biodiversity Gain Plan in Cannock

Planning-ready BNG Assessments and Biodiversity Gain Plans in Cannock, providing accurate biodiversity calculations, practical habitat strategies and ecological support from initial assessment through to the planning process.

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BNG Support for Development in Cannock

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an important consideration for development projects across Cannock Chase District. Where the statutory BNG requirements apply, development must demonstrate how the required biodiversity gain will be achieved and secured.

Cannock has a distinctive ecological setting, with the Cannock Chase National Landscape surrounded by a mixture of urban areas, farmland, woodland, heathland, grassland, hedgerows and watercourses. The character and ecological value of these habitats can vary significantly between development sites, making an accurate understanding of the existing biodiversity baseline particularly important.

Cannock Chase also contains internationally important habitats, including the Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation (SAC). BNG should therefore be considered alongside, rather than instead of, other ecological and planning requirements that may apply to a development.

Cannock Chase Council encourages prospective applicants to discuss development proposals and BNG through pre-application discussions where appropriate The Council also provides local BNG guidance and asks applicants to check whether a BNG Self-Assessment Form is required as part of their planning submission.

Considering BNG early can help identify biodiversity constraints, understand the site’s baseline value and explore opportunities for retaining and enhancing habitats within the development.

We support developments across Cannock, including Hednesford, Heath Hayes, Bridgtown, Hawks Green, Norton Canes, Chadsmoor and surrounding settlements within the Cannock Chase district.

BNG Assessment in Cannock

A BNG Assessment establishes the existing biodiversity value of a development site and assesses how the proposed development is expected to change that value.

Our ecologists assess the habitats present and use the statutory biodiversity metric to calculate the biodiversity value of the existing and proposed site. The metric considers factors including the habitat type, size, condition and strategic significance.

A Cannock BNG Assessment can include:

Review of proposed development and available plans
Habitat survey and UKHab classification
Assessment of habitat condition and distinctiveness
Statutory biodiversity metric calculations
Assessment of habitat retention and loss
Identification of habitat enhancement opportunities
Assessment of opportunities for new habitat creation
Consideration of potential on-site biodiversity gain
Consideration of off-site biodiversity provision where appropriate
Advice on incorporating BNG into development and landscape proposals
Clear reporting to support the planning process

The assessment provides the project team with a measurable biodiversity baseline and helps identify how changes to the development proposals could affect the site’s biodiversity value.

What Does a BNG Assessment Establish?

A BNG Assessment can establish:

The biodiversity value of the site before development
The habitats present and their condition
The anticipated biodiversity impact of the proposed development
The number and type of biodiversity units associated with the site
Which habitats can potentially be retained
Opportunities for habitat enhancement
Opportunities for creating new habitats
The potential route towards achieving the required biodiversity gain

The statutory biodiversity metric can also be used at different stages of the design process. Early and repeated assessment can allow different development and landscape approaches to be compared before the final design is fixed.

This can be particularly useful where a site contains a mixture of habitats or ecological features that could influence the BNG outcome.

Biodiversity Gain Plan in Cannock

A Biodiversity Gain Plan serves a different purpose from the initial BNG Assessment.

Where statutory BNG applies, the Biodiversity Gain Plan sets out how the required biodiversity gain will be achieved. It is submitted to the Local Planning Authority after planning permission has been granted and must be approved before development can commence.

The plan provides evidence for the BNG decisions made for the development and brings together the relevant biodiversity calculations, habitat proposals and delivery arrangements.

A Cannock Biodiversity Gain Plan can include:

The approved pre-development biodiversity value
The post-development biodiversity value
Details of habitat retention, enhancement and creation
The proposed biodiversity gain strategy
Relevant on-site habitat measures
Registered off-site biodiversity gains where applicable
Statutory biodiversity credits where applicable
Pre-development and post-development plans
The completed biodiversity metric calculation
Information about the management and monitoring of significant on-site gains

The final approach will depend on the site’s biodiversity baseline, the development proposals and the available opportunities for delivering the required gain.

How the BNG Assessment Informs the Biodiversity Gain Plan

The BNG Assessment provides the evidence and calculations that underpin the Biodiversity Gain Plan.

The assessment establishes the site’s pre-development biodiversity value and models the anticipated change resulting from the proposed development. The findings can then be used to develop an appropriate strategy for delivering the required biodiversity gain.

The process can be summarised as:

Biodiversity baseline → Metric calculation → BNG strategy → Biodiversity Gain Plan

For example, the assessment may identify existing grassland, hedgerows, woodland or other habitats that could be retained or enhanced as part of the development.

It may also identify opportunities for creating new habitat within landscape proposals. Where the required biodiversity gain cannot appropriately be achieved on site, other permitted routes may need to be considered.

BNG and the Cannock Chase Environment

Cannock's ecological context makes site-specific assessment particularly important. The Cannock Chase National Landscape contains extensive heathland and woodland, alongside wood-pasture, farmland, grassland, waterways and other habitats. The wider landscape also includes internationally important ecological sites and areas supporting protected and priority habitats and species. Development sites within and around the district can therefore have very different ecological characteristics. A previously developed urban site, a residential site on the edge of a settlement and a more rural site may each present different BNG opportunities and constraints. BNG should also be considered alongside other ecological requirements. For example, where a development could affect a designated site such as the Cannock Chase SAC, separate Habitats Regulations considerations and mitigation requirements may apply. A BNG Assessment does not replace the need for protected species surveys, habitat assessments, designated-site assessments or other ecological work where these are required. Taking a wider ecological view at an early stage can help the project team understand how BNG fits alongside the other environmental considerations affecting the development.

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BNG Assessment vs Biodiversity Gain Plan

Although the two services are closely connected, they are not the same document.

BNG Assessment

Purpose: Establishes the biodiversity baseline and assesses the anticipated change.

Timing: Used during planning and development design.

Focus: Habitats, condition, biodiversity units and development impacts.

Outcome: Provides the evidence and calculations for the BNG strategy

Biodiversity Gain Plan

Purpose: Sets out how the required biodiversity gain will be delivered.

Typically prepared: Prepared after planning permission where statutory BNG applies.

Focus: Final biodiversity position, delivery measures and statutory requirements.

Outcome: Demonstrates how the required biodiversity gain will be achieved.

The BNG Assessment establishes the biodiversity position; the Biodiversity Gain Plan uses this information to demonstrate how the required gain will be delivered.

Why Choose ProHort for BNG in Cannock?

Experienced ecological team

Our ecology team provides specialist support for development projects, combining habitat assessment, biodiversity calculations and practical ecological advice.

Planning-focused reporting

We provide clear BNG information designed to help developers, architects and project teams understand the biodiversity position and how it relates to their proposals.

Site Specific BNG Advice

Every development site has a different ecological baseline. We assess the habitats present and consider realistic opportunities for retention, enhancement and creation rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

Early-stage support

Considering BNG before the development design is finalised can provide greater scope to retain existing habitats and incorporate biodiversity measures into the scheme.

Wider Ecological Support

BNG can form part of a wider package of ecological requirements. From BNG Assessment to Biodiversity Gain Plan, our ecology team can also coordinate related requirements such as PEAs and protected species surveys where appropriate.

Our BNG Process

1. Initial Project Review

We review the proposed development, available plans and existing ecological information to understand the project’s requirements and identify any initial biodiversity considerations.

2. Habitat Assessment

Our ecologists assess and map the habitats within the site and collect the information needed to establish the biodiversity baseline.

3. Biodiversity metric

The relevant statutory biodiversity metric is used to calculate the site’s biodiversity value and model the anticipated change resulting from the proposed development.

4. BNG strategy

We consider opportunities to avoid or minimise habitat impacts, retain existing habitats, enhance suitable areas and create new habitats, while identifying an appropriate route towards the required biodiversity gain.

5. Planning support

The BNG information can be incorporated into the wider development and landscape proposals, helping the project team understand the biodiversity implications of design changes. Where appropriate, BNG information can also be considered alongside other ecological and planning requirements affecting the site.

6. Biodiversity Gain Plan

Where required, the agreed biodiversity position, metric information and biodiversity delivery strategy can be used to prepare the Biodiversity Gain Plan following planning permission.

Next Steps

Contact us, and we’ll confirm exactly what your Cannock site requires. We provide a planning-ready, proportionate route forward.

0800 494 7479

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FAQ - BNG Assessment & Biodiversity Net Gain in Cannock

Does every development in Cannock require a BNG Assessment?

Not every development is subject to the statutory BNG requirement. Whether BNG applies depends on the nature and scale of the development and any applicable national exemptions or thresholds. ProHort can review a Cannock development and advise on the ecological information that may be required.

Does Cannock Chase Council have specific BNG requirements?

Cannock Chase Council provides local BNG guidance and asks applicants to check whether a BNG Self-Assessment Form is required as part of their planning submission. The Council also encourages pre-application discussions where applicants want to discuss BNG and their development proposals before submission.

Should BNG be considered before submitting a planning application in Cannock?

Yes. Considering BNG during the design and planning stages can help identify existing habitat value, potential biodiversity constraints and opportunities for retaining or enhancing habitats before the scheme is finalised.

Does the Cannock Chase SAC affect BNG?

The Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation is subject to separate protection under the Habitats Regulations. Where relevant development could affect the SAC, additional assessment and mitigation requirements may apply. These requirements are separate from the BNG process and should be considered alongside it.

What habitats might affect a BNG Assessment in Cannock?

Cannock development sites can contain a wide range of habitats, including grassland, heathland, woodland, hedgerows, trees, wetlands and other water-associated habitats. The biodiversity value of each habitat depends on factors including its type, size and condition, which is why a site-specific assessment is important.

Can BNG be incorporated into landscaping proposals in Cannock?

Yes. Landscape proposals can provide opportunities to retain existing habitats, enhance suitable areas and create new habitats. Considering the biodiversity metric alongside landscape design can help the project team understand how different design choices may affect the BNG outcome.

Is a Biodiversity Gain Plan the same as a BNG Assessment?

No. A BNG Assessment establishes the site’s biodiversity baseline and calculates the anticipated change associated with the development. A Biodiversity Gain Plan is prepared after planning permission where statutory BNG applies and sets out how the required biodiversity gain will be delivered.

Can ProHort help with BNG and other ecological requirements?

Yes. ProHort can support development projects with BNG Assessments and Biodiversity Gain Plans and can coordinate related ecological requirements, such as Preliminary Ecological Appraisals and protected species surveys, where appropriate.