ProHort provides Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments and Biodiversity Gain Plan support for development projects across Merseyside. From the Sefton Coast and the Mersey Estuary to the River Alt, Wirral's woodland landscapes and former industrial sites, we help clients understand their BNG responsibilities and plan how biodiversity gains can be delivered.
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Where the statutory biodiversity gain condition applies, the Biodiversity Gain Plan is submitted after planning permission has been granted. It must be approved by the relevant planning authority before development can commence.
ProHort can support Merseyside BNG condition discharge by helping bring the relevant ecological and planning information together. Depending on the project, this may involve:
Reviewing the existing BNG assessment, metric calculation and planning permission.
Checking that proposed habitat measures reflect the approved site layout.
Explaining how on-site habitat creation and enhancement will contribute to the biodiversity gain objective.
Including details of registered off-site biodiversity gains or statutory credits where relevant.
Preparing the supporting information and documentation for submission.
Assisting with relevant queries or amendments raised during the approval process.
The information required will depend on the permission and the development. Larger schemes and projects delivered in phases may need an overall Biodiversity Gain Plan and separate phase plans. The submission strategy should therefore be considered alongside the approved planning arrangements.
A planning-compliant biodiversity gain plan should reflect the development that has actually been approved and demonstrate how the required gains will be secured and delivered. Preparing this information carefully can help avoid inconsistencies between the metric, habitat plans and planning documentation.Â
We deliver services throughout Merseyside, including Liverpool, St Helens, Knowsley, Sefton and surrounding areas.
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A Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment in Merseyside establishes the biodiversity value of a development site before work begins and calculates how the proposed development may affect its habitats. It provides the baseline information and biodiversity metric calculations needed to understand the site’s ecological starting point and identify how measurable gains could be achieved.
Where the statutory BNG condition applies, development is generally required to deliver at least a 10% increase in biodiversity value. A site-specific assessment helps establish the baseline and informs decisions about habitat retention, enhancement and creation.Â
Our BNG assessment for development in Merseyside can include:
Habitat surveys and mapping to identify and record the habitats present within the development boundary.
Habitat condition assessments to establish the condition and distinctiveness of relevant habitat parcels.
Biodiversity metric calculations using the applicable statutory biodiversity metric.
Biodiversity Net Gain reporting setting out the site’s baseline biodiversity value and the anticipated post-development position.
Habitat retention and enhancement advice to help inform site layouts, landscaping and development proposals.
Recommendations for additional biodiversity gains where further on-site or off-site measures may be needed to achieve the required uplift.Â
A detailed biodiversity metric assessment can help developers identify ecological constraints before designs are finalised. It can also highlight opportunities to retain existing habitats and incorporate suitable biodiversity improvements into the development.Â
A Biodiversity Gain Plan in Merseyside sets out how a development will meet the biodiversity gain objective. It is a separate stage from the initial BNG assessment and, where the statutory biodiversity gain condition applies, must be submitted to and approved by the relevant planning authority before development begins.
The plan brings together the approved development proposals, biodiversity metric information and details of how the required gains will be delivered. It should explain the proposed on-site habitat creation and enhancement, any registered off-site biodiversity gains and the arrangements for securing and managing those measures.
ProHort provides biodiversity gain plan support in Merseyside to help clients prepare the information needed for this stage of the planning process.Â
Depending on the development, a biodiversity net gain plan may include:
Biodiversity metric calculations showing the proposed post-development biodiversity value.
On-site habitat creation and enhancement proposals, including the location, type and extent of planned habitat measures.
Off-site biodiversity units, where eligible registered gains are being used and allocated to the development.
Statutory biodiversity credits, where these form part of the proposed approach.
Habitat management and monitoring information, including arrangements for significant on-site gains and relevant long-term responsibilities.
Supporting plans and evidence to explain how the biodiversity gain objective will be achieved.Â
A development biodiversity gain plan should be consistent with the planning permission, approved drawings and relevant metric calculations. This helps the planning authority consider whether the proposed approach will deliver the required biodiversity gain.
Merseyside has a distinctive ecological character shaped by its estuaries, coastline, urban development and industrial history. Its habitats range from the shifting sand dunes of Sefton to wetland corridors, former mining landscapes and established woodland.
Understanding these local features is important when establishing the biodiversity baseline of a development site and considering appropriate opportunities for habitat enhancement.
The Sefton Coast is one of the most distinctive natural landscapes in Merseyside. Its coastal environment includes sand dunes, dune slacks, lowland heathland, saltmarsh, coastal grazing marsh and pine woodland around areas such as Formby and Freshfield.
These habitats support species including natterjack toads, sand lizards and red squirrels. Their ecological value can be influenced by factors such as vegetation structure, open sand, water levels and habitat management.
For development proposals around Southport, Formby, Ainsdale and the wider Sefton area, existing coastal and wetland features should be identified accurately. Designated-site considerations and protected-species requirements may also be relevant, but these are separate from the biodiversity metric calculation.
The Mersey Estuary and Dee Estuary are major features of the region’s natural environment. Their wider landscapes include intertidal habitats, mudflats, saltmarsh and coastal wetlands that support important bird populations and other wildlife.
Development around Liverpool’s waterfront, Birkenhead, Wallasey and the wider Wirral may need to consider the relationship between the site and nearby estuarine habitats. Where wetland or coastal habitat is present within a development boundary, its type and condition should be established as part of the BNG baseline.
The estuaries also have wider ecological and environmental considerations, including water quality and designated-site interests. A BNG assessment does not replace any separate assessments or mitigation that may be required.
The River Alt corridor runs through parts of Knowsley and Sefton towards the coast. Its wider landscape includes low-lying farmland, watercourses, floodplain habitats and wetlands.
Lunt Meadows is a notable local example of wetland restoration, combining reedbed, open water and wet grassland habitats with a flood-storage function. Other important wetland areas include Rimrose Valley and Marshside.
For development around Huyton, Kirkby, Maghull and the wider Alt catchment, it is important to identify existing watercourses, ponds, wet grassland and other connected habitats. Their condition and relationship to the surrounding landscape can influence both the biodiversity baseline and suitable enhancement opportunities.
Merseyside’s industrial history has left a network of former mining, quarrying, dockland and other previously developed sites. Some have since developed into valuable wildlife habitats, including grassland, scrub, woodland and wetland mosaics.
Examples across the wider area include Bold Forest Park in St Helens and restored former industrial sites around Knowsley. These landscapes demonstrate why a site’s previous use should not be treated as a reliable indicator of its current biodiversity value.
Brownfield and post-industrial sites can support valuable habitat features, including species-rich vegetation and bare-ground habitats. A site-specific survey is therefore important before assumptions are made about the ecological value of previously developed land.
The Wirral contains a varied mix of woodland, grassland, farmland, coastal habitats and estuarine environments. Areas such as Eastham Woods, the Dee Estuary shoreline and the wider coastal landscape around Heswall provide important local ecological context.
Established woodland, hedgerows, ponds and species-rich grassland can contribute to the biodiversity value of development sites. Where ancient woodland or certain ancient and veteran trees are present, particular care is required because these are subject to irreplaceable habitat provisions under the statutory BNG framework.
Development proposals should consider existing habitat features and ecological connections before the site layout is finalised.
The Liverpool City Region Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) was approved in March 2026 and formally launched on 20 March 2026. It covers six local authority areas: Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. This is a wider area than the five boroughs that make up the metropolitan county of Merseyside.
The strategy identifies local priorities for nature recovery across a range of habitats and species. Its themes include:
Wetlands and watercourses.
Coastal and estuarine habitats.
Grasslands and heathlands.
Trees and woodland.
Urban habitats.
Farmland.
Invasive species and priority species.
The accompanying Local Habitat Map identifies existing core local nature sites and opportunity areas where habitat creation, restoration or enhancement could contribute to wider nature recovery.
For developers, the strategy can provide useful context when considering where proposed habitat measures may support ecological connectivity and local priorities. However, the LNRS does not replace a site-specific BNG assessment or the statutory biodiversity metric. It also does not mean that land outside mapped opportunity areas is unsuitable for habitat improvements.
ProHort can help clients consider the Liverpool City Region’s nature recovery priorities alongside the actual habitats, constraints and development proposals at their site.Â
Whether you need a Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment for a proposed development or a Biodiversity Gain Plan to support Merseyside BNG condition discharge, ProHort can help you understand the ecological information and documentation required.
Contact our team to discuss your project and the support you need.
The Liverpool City Region LNRS covers six local authority areas: Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. The metropolitan county of Merseyside comprises the latter five boroughs, so the strategy area is slightly wider than Merseyside itself. Its priorities and Local Habitat Map can help inform nature recovery opportunities, but they do not replace a site-specific BNG assessment.Â
Sites near the Sefton Coast may contain or adjoin sand dunes, dune slacks, coastal grazing marsh, saltmarsh or heathland. These habitats can have distinctive ecological characteristics and should be surveyed and assessed accurately where they fall within the development site. Designated-site and protected-species considerations may also apply and should be addressed separately from the BNG metric.Â
No. A site’s use as a port, dockland or industrial area does not automatically exempt it from statutory BNG. Previously developed land can support habitats such as scrub, grassland, wetland features and bare-ground mosaics. Whether the statutory condition applies depends on the development and relevant exemptions, while the site’s actual habitats must be established through an appropriate assessment.
Yes. Former mining, quarrying and industrial sites can develop into habitat mosaics that support wildlife, including grassland, scrub, woodland and wetland. Examples in the wider area, such as Bold Forest Park, demonstrate how former industrial landscapes can contribute to nature recovery. A site’s current ecological value must be assessed rather than inferred from its previous use.
The River Alt corridor and associated wetland network include watercourses, floodplain habitats, ponds, reedbeds and wet grassland. Where these features occur within or connect to a development site, their type, extent and condition may influence the biodiversity metric and the opportunities available for habitat enhancement. Other flood-risk and water environment considerations may also need to be assessed separately. Â
The statutory BNG framework applies nationally in England, subject to exemptions and transitional provisions. However, local planning authorities may publish their own technical guidance and information expectations. Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service provides regional technical resources, while Liverpool City Council also publishes specific BNG advice for development in its area. The requirements for an individual project should therefore be checked with the planning authority responsible for the permission.
