ProHort provides Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Assessments in the Peak District, helping developers, architects and planning consultants understand the ecological baseline of their sites and identify how biodiversity requirements may be addressed.
Our team can also support you with a Biodiversity Gain Plan in the Peak District, helping you move from assessment through to the planning stage with clear, practical ecological advice.
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The Peak District is recognised for its varied landscapes, including upland moorland, limestone grassland, wooded valleys and watercourses. These habitats can support a range of wildlife and may be important considerations when planning development.
The biodiversity value of a site depends on its existing habitats, condition and ecological characteristics—not simply its location within the Peak District.
A Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment helps establish this baseline and assess how a proposed development could affect it. Where BNG requirements apply, the assessment can help inform how the development may achieve the required biodiversity outcome.
ProHort provides ecological assessment and planning support tailored to the site and the needs of your project.
We support projects across the Peak District, covering all areas including Bakewell, Matlock, Hathersage, Castleton, Hope, Tideswell, Buxton, Eyam, Edale, and the wider surrounding landscapes within the Peak District National Park boundary.
A Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Assessment evaluates the biodiversity value of a site before development and considers how the proposed works may affect its habitats.
The assessment uses the applicable statutory biodiversity metric to calculate the site’s biodiversity value and help determine how the development could deliver the required biodiversity gain.
For projects in the Peak District, this may involve considering habitats such as:
Moorland and other upland habitats
Limestone grassland
Woodland and scrub
Hedgerows and field boundaries
Rivers, streams and other water-related habitats
The habitats present will vary from site to site. Our ecologists assess the individual characteristics of your development site to provide an informed understanding of its biodiversity value.
A BNG Assessment can help you:
Establish the site’s biodiversity baseline
Understand the potential effects of the proposed development
Identify opportunities to retain, enhance or create habitats
Inform the next stages of BNG planning
Support the preparation of a Biodiversity Gain Plan, where required
A Biodiversity Gain Plan sets out how a development will meet the applicable Biodiversity Net Gain requirements. It explains how the biodiversity outcome will be achieved and provides the information needed for the relevant planning authority to consider the proposed approach.
ProHort can provide support with a Biodiversity Gain Plan in the Peak District, using the findings of the BNG Assessment to help inform the next stage of your project.
Depending on the site and proposed development, this may involve considering:
The biodiversity value of the site before development
The proposed approach to habitat retention, enhancement or creation
The biodiversity value expected after development
Whether offsite biodiversity units may be required
The supporting information needed for the plan
The appropriate approach will depend on the site’s ecological characteristics, the development proposals and the applicable BNG requirements.
Our team can help you understand the information needed and work towards a Biodiversity Gain Plan that reflects your project.
BNG planning can involve several stages, from understanding the existing habitats on a site to identifying how biodiversity requirements can be met.
ProHort works with developers, architects and planning consultants to provide ecological assessment and BNG planning support. We can help you understand the biodiversity considerations early in the project, so they can be factored into your development proposals.
Our support can include:
Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments
Biodiversity Gain Plan preparation
Advice on habitat retention and enhancement opportunities
Consideration of offsite biodiversity offsetting where appropriate
Ecological information to support planning requirements
The Peak District’s varied landscape means that each site needs to be considered individually. Our approach is based on the habitats and circumstances of your development, rather than assuming that every site will require the same BNG solution.
Our team can support you through the key stages of the Biodiversity Net Gain process in the Peak District.
We establish the site’s baseline biodiversity value.
We consider how the proposed development may affect existing habitats.
We explore ways to enhance biodiversity onsite and whether offsite biodiversity offsetting may be needed.
We help prepare the Biodiversity Gain Plan and supporting information.
We provide guidance to help you progress with the relevant planning requirements.
Contact us, and we’ll confirm exactly what your Peak District site requires. We provide a planning-ready, proportionate route forward.
Whether a BNG Assessment is required depends on the type of development, the site and the applicable statutory requirements. Certain developments may be exempt or subject to different rules. ProHort can help you understand the biodiversity considerations relevant to your project.
The location of a development within the Peak District National Park may bring additional planning and ecological considerations. However, BNG requirements depend on the individual development and applicable legislation. The site’s location alone does not determine its biodiversity value or the BNG outcome required.
A site assessment may consider habitats such as moorland, limestone grassland, woodland, scrub, hedgerows and water-related habitats. The habitats present and their condition will vary depending on the location and characteristics of the site.
Where appropriate and permitted under the applicable requirements, offsite biodiversity units may form part of the approach to achieving BNG. The biodiversity gain hierarchy should be considered, and the suitability of offsite provision will depend on the development and its circumstances.
It is beneficial to consider BNG early in the planning process. An assessment can help establish the site’s biodiversity baseline and identify potential constraints or opportunities before development proposals are finalised.
Yes. ProHort can provide support with both a Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment and a Biodiversity Gain Plan in the Peak District. The assessment helps establish the site’s biodiversity value, while the plan sets out how the applicable BNG requirements are proposed to be met.
