ProHort provides Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Assessments and Biodiversity Gain Plans for development projects across Bristol. We help developers, architects, planning consultants and landowners understand the biodiversity implications of their proposals, assess existing habitats and identify how the required biodiversity gains can be achieved.
Biodiversity Net Gain aims to ensure that qualifying developments leave biodiversity in a measurably better state than before development. Under the statutory framework, the general requirement is at least 10% biodiversity gain for developments in scope, subject to the applicable legislation, exemptions and transitional provisions.Â
To assess how this requirement will be met, the site’s existing habitats must be identified and their biodiversity value calculated using the applicable statutory biodiversity metric. The anticipated effects of development can then be assessed, helping the project team understand potential habitat losses and opportunities for retention, enhancement and creation.Â
Bristol City Council has published a Biodiversity Net Gain Practice Note for major development and small-site planning application, including biodiversity reports, metric calculations, habitat mapping and habitat management information.Â
This means BNG planning in Bristol involves more than calculating a percentage increase. The supporting information needs to be consistent with the development proposals and provide a clear explanation of how biodiversity gain will be achieved.Â
Considering BNG early can help developers identify habitat constraints, compare design options and understand what ecological information may be needed at different stages of the planning process.
We assist projects across Bristol, from the city centre and suburbs to adjoining neighbourhoods and fringe locations.
Â
A Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment establishes the biodiversity value of a site’s habitats and calculates how a proposed development could change that value.
Using the applicable statutory biodiversity metric, the assessment considers the pre-development habitat baseline and the anticipated biodiversity outcomes following development. This helps the project team understand the implications of habitat loss, retention, enhancement and creation, and identify options for achieving the required biodiversity gain.
For Bristol development projects, a BNG Assessment can help to:
The scope of work depends on the site, the proposed development and the ecological information available. It may include:
The findings establish a clearer picture of the site’s biodiversity value and help the project team understand how development proposals may affect habitats.Â
Where statutory BNG applies, a Biodiversity Gain Plan explains how a development will achieve the required biodiversity gain. It is submitted following planning permission and must be approved by the relevant planning authority before development commences.Â
The plan brings together the relevant biodiversity calculations, habitat proposals and delivery arrangements to demonstrate how the required gain will be delivered.
Depending on the project, the Biodiversity Gain Plan may include:
The information needs to reflect the approved development proposals and the chosen approach to delivering biodiversity gain.Â
Bristol City Council’s published guidance also highlights the importance of consistency between the Biodiversity Gain Plan and its supporting information. Relevant documents and mapping should accurately represent the biodiversity measures being proposed.
Preparing the plan therefore requires a clear understanding of the assessment findings, development design and biodiversity delivery strategy.
A BNG Assessment and Biodiversity Gain Plan have different purposes, but the assessment provides important information for preparing the plan.
The assessment establishes the biodiversity baseline and calculates the anticipated changes resulting from development. The Gain Plan then sets out how the required biodiversity gain will be delivered, where statutory BNG applies.
The process generally involves these stages:
Assess the existing habitats: Establish the site’s habitat baseline and biodiversity value.
Calculate biodiversity units: Use the applicable statutory metric to assess the baseline and anticipated changes.
Review the development proposals: Consider potential habitat impacts and opportunities to retain or improve existing habitats.
Develop a biodiversity strategy: Identify how the required gain could be achieved through appropriate habitat measures and other relevant delivery options.
Prepare the Biodiversity Gain Plan: Bring together the relevant calculations, plans and delivery arrangements following planning permission, where required.
Considering these stages early can help the development team identify the ecological information needed and understand how biodiversity requirements may influence the proposed layout.
The two services work together, but they are not interchangeable. The assessment establishes the baseline and anticipated changes, while the Gain Plan explains how the required biodiversity outcome will be achieved.Â
Understanding the habitats present and their biodiversity value.
Assessing habitat value using the applicable statutory biodiversity metric.
Identifying potential opportunities for habitat retention, enhancement and creation.
Helping establish the biodiversity information needed to inform development proposals.
Using assessment findings to inform the biodiversity delivery strategy and Biodiversity Gain Plan where required.
Every development site has its own ecological characteristics and constraints. Our approach focuses on the information relevant to the particular project, helping the development team understand the next steps in the BNG process.Â
We discuss your proposed development, site location and planning stage to understand the ecological support you may need.
Where required, the site’s habitats are assessed to establish the ecological information needed for the biodiversity baseline.
The applicable statutory biodiversity metric is used to calculate the relevant biodiversity units and assess the anticipated changes resulting from development.
We consider suitable options for habitat retention, enhancement and creation, taking account of the site’s characteristics and the proposed layout.
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 required, the agreed biodiversity position, metric information and delivery strategy can be used to prepare the Biodiversity Gain Plan following planning permission.
Contact us and we’ll confirm exactly what your site requires and support a planning-ready, proportionate route forward.Â
Bristol City Council’s published BNG Practice Note identifies supporting information that may be required, including a biodiversity report, statutory biodiversity metric calculations, habitat mapping and a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan where relevant. The exact requirements depend on the application type and proposed biodiversity measures, so the latest council guidance should be checked for your project.
A brownfield site is not automatically exempt from statutory BNG. Whether the requirement applies depends on the development and the relevant exemptions and transitional provisions. The site’s actual habitats and their biodiversity value must be considered rather than assuming that previously developed land has no biodiversity value.
The West of England Local Nature Recovery Strategy identifies priorities for nature recovery and maps focus areas where action could deliver important benefits for nature. Where relevant to a Bristol development, it can help inform habitat creation and restoration opportunities alongside the statutory biodiversity assessment.
Habitat mapping helps show where existing habitats are located and how they relate to the proposed development. Accurate baseline and proposed habitat plans can support the biodiversity calculations and help demonstrate that the information in the assessment, planning documents and Biodiversity Gain Plan is consistent.
Potentially. Their contribution depends on the habitats present, their condition, location and the applicable statutory metric rules. Existing habitats may be retained or enhanced as part of a biodiversity strategy, but their suitability and biodiversity value need to be assessed for the individual site.
Not necessarily. A BNG Assessment focuses on habitat biodiversity value and the calculations needed to assess biodiversity change. Separate protected species surveys or other ecological assessments may be required depending on the habitats present, the species potentially affected and the proposed development.
Where statutory BNG applies, the Biodiversity Gain Plan is still required. The assessment establishes the biodiversity baseline and anticipated changes, while the plan sets out how the required gain will be delivered. It must be approved by the relevant planning authority before development commences.
It is generally beneficial to consider BNG during site selection and early design development. This gives the project team more opportunity to identify habitat constraints, compare layout options and plan appropriate biodiversity measures before the proposals are finalised. The timing and scope of work will depend on the development and its planning requirements.
