Planning a development in Wigan? ProHort provides Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Assessment and Biodiversity Gain Plan services to help developers, landowners, architects and planning consultants understand the biodiversity requirements associated with their projects.
Wigan Borough has a distinctive landscape shaped by its industrial heritage, with former industrial sites, urban areas, farmland, woodlands, wetlands and mosslands all contributing to its ecological character. From the wetland landscapes around Pennington Flash and the Wigan Flashes to the mossland habitats of Astley and Bedford Mosses, the biodiversity considerations can vary considerably from one site to another.
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Biodiversity Net Gain is an approach to development that aims to leave biodiversity in a measurably better state than before. Where the statutory BNG requirement applies, developments generally need to achieve at least a 10% increase in biodiversity value, subject to applicable exemptions, transitional provisions and other relevant rules.
Wigan’s ecological landscape includes habitats that can be particularly important for nature recovery. Its mosslands, wetlands, grasslands and woodland areas support different ecological communities, while rivers, canals and other green corridors can contribute to habitat connectivity across the borough.
The council identifies almost 100 sites across Wigan Borough that are recognised for their wildlife importance, including sites with statutory and local nature conservation designations. However, biodiversity value is not restricted to formally designated locations. Habitats on other sites, including previously developed land, may also contribute to the local ecological network.
For a development project, this means the existing habitat baseline needs to be assessed rather than assumed. A site near a wetland or mossland may have different ecological considerations from a town-centre redevelopment or an employment site. The appropriate approach depends on the habitats present, their condition and the proposed works.
Considering BNG early can help identify opportunities to retain existing habitats, improve their condition or create new habitats as part of the development. It can also help establish whether additional biodiversity provision may be needed to meet the project’s applicable requirements.Â
We support projects across the Wigan borough, working in areas such as Wigan town centre, Leigh, Ashton in Makerfield, Hindley, Standish, Atherton, Ince, Tyldesley and the wider neighbourhoods within the Wigan local authority boundary.
A Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment evaluates the biodiversity value of a site’s habitats and considers how the proposed development could change that value. It establishes the pre-development baseline and uses the applicable statutory biodiversity metric to calculate biodiversity units and assess the anticipated habitat outcomes.Â
A BNG assessment in Wigan may involve:
The scope of a BNG Assessment will depend on the site, the proposed development and the information already available. Additional ecological surveys may be required where there are potential protected species issues or other ecological constraints. A BNG Assessment does not automatically replace those separate surveys.Â
A Biodiversity Gain Plan explains how a development subject to the statutory biodiversity gain condition intends to meet its biodiversity gain objective. It brings together information about the site’s baseline, the proposed development, the planned habitat outcomes and any eligible off-site biodiversity provision.
For developments in Wigan, the plan should reflect the ecological characteristics of the actual site. For example, opportunities on a previously developed site may differ from those on land containing grassland, woodland or wetland habitats. The BNG Assessment and metric calculation provide the evidence needed to understand the starting point and evaluate the proposed approach.
Depending on the project, a Biodiversity Gain Plan may include:
The plan should be consistent with the assessment findings and the proposed habitat changes. Where the statutory biodiversity gain condition applies, the Biodiversity Gain Plan must be submitted to and approved by the planning authority before development begins.
ProHort can support both the initial BNG Assessment and preparation of the Biodiversity Gain Plan, helping your project maintain a joined-up approach from the habitat baseline through to the proposed biodiversity outcomes.Â
Some developments may be unable to deliver all the required biodiversity gain within the site boundary. Where permitted under the applicable statutory framework, eligible registered off-site biodiversity gains may contribute towards addressing a remaining biodiversity shortfall.
Before considering off-site BNG units in Wigan, it is important to understand the metric results and identify whether suitable opportunities exist to retain, enhance or create habitats on site. The biodiversity gain hierarchy must be followed, so off-site provision should not be treated as an automatic substitute for appropriate on-site measures.
Wigan’s ecological context includes mosslands, wetlands and other habitats that can be relevant to nature recovery. The Greater Manchester Local Nature Recovery Strategy identifies priorities and opportunities for habitat creation and enhancement across the city-region. Where relevant, these priorities can help inform the wider context for habitat improvements and potential off-site provision.
However, the strategy does not itself confirm that a particular unit is available or suitable for a development. Any proposed off-site units must meet the applicable requirements for habitat type, registration, allocation and contribution to the project’s biodiversity objective.
A clear understanding of the site’s habitat baseline and the resulting biodiversity shortfall helps establish whether off-site provision is appropriate for your project.
BNG is best considered early enough to inform the site layout, landscaping and habitat decisions. If ecological constraints are identified late in the design process, there may be fewer opportunities to retain existing habitats or incorporate biodiversity improvements into the scheme.
This can be particularly relevant to developments involving previously developed land, employment sites, residential schemes or land near wetlands and established green infrastructure. The right approach will depend on the individual site rather than its location within the wider borough alone.
Wigan Council’s planning resources identify local wildlife sites and habitats that may be relevant when considering development proposals. Reviewing the site’s ecological context alongside the proposed works can help establish whether additional survey work or specialist advice is needed.
If you need a Biodiversity survey in Wigan, a BNG report, a BNG metric calculation or a Biodiversity Gain Plan in Wigan, ProHort can help you understand the likely scope of work and the next steps for your project.
We discuss your development, review the available plans and ecological information, and establish the likely scope of the BNG assessment.
The relevant habitats are identified and assessed to determine their biodiversity value before development.Â
The applicable statutory biodiversity metric is used to calculate the baseline and assess the anticipated value of the proposed habitat changes.Â
The findings help identify opportunities to retain or enhance existing habitats and create new ones, as well as any remaining biodiversity shortfall.
The assessment findings can inform the project’s BNG strategy and the preparation of a Biodiversity Gain Plan where required.Â
Contact us and we’ll confirm exactly what your Wigan site requires and support a planning-ready, proportionate route forward.Â
Mosslands are an important part of Wigan’s ecological landscape and can support distinctive habitats with significant conservation value. Where a proposed development could affect mossland or nearby habitats, the site and its ecological context need to be assessed carefully. The implications for a particular project depend on its location, the habitats present and any relevant designations or planning requirements.
A site’s proximity to a nature reserve or wetland does not automatically determine its BNG requirements. However, nearby habitats and nature conservation designations may be relevant to understanding the site’s ecological context and identifying potential constraints. A site-specific assessment can establish the habitats present, whether additional ecological surveys are needed and how the proposed development may affect biodiversity value.
Yes. Previously developed land can support habitats such as grassland, scrub, trees and other vegetation. Its ecological value depends on the habitats that have developed, their condition and the site’s history and management. A BNG Assessment establishes the relevant baseline rather than assuming that former industrial use means a site has little or no biodiversity value.Â
The information required depends on the site and the proposed development. It may include site plans, habitat mapping, survey findings, information about habitat condition and details of the proposed works. Existing ecological reports can help inform the assessment, but their age, scope and suitability should be considered before relying on them for a current metric calculation.
Where allowed under the applicable statutory framework, eligible registered off-site biodiversity gains may contribute towards a development’s remaining biodiversity shortfall. The biodiversity gain hierarchy must be followed, and the proposed units must satisfy the relevant requirements for registration and allocation. Their suitability depends on the metric results and the project’s circumstances; availability should be confirmed rather than assumed.Â
No. Whether the statutory biodiversity gain condition applies depends on the development and the relevant rules, including applicable exemptions and transitional provisions. Where the condition applies, a Biodiversity Gain Plan must be approved by the planning authority before development begins. The project’s planning status, type and circumstances should be checked to establish what documentation is required.
