Developing or submitting a planning application in Manchester and require Biodiversity Net Gain?
BNG is now a mandatory requirement – we specialise in providing compliant reports to achieve planning consent.
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Biodiversity Net Gain is now a mandatory part of the planning system for most developments in Manchester. The principle is straightforward: a project must demonstrate that the site will deliver an overall improvement in biodiversity compared with its starting condition. Planning authorities will not validate many applications without clear and correctly presented BNG evidence, and missing information often leads to further delays later in the process.
Planning officers in Manchester often request BNG information where development may affect key habitat networks. Typical examples include:
• Canal and riverside corridors linked to the Rochdale Canal, Bridgewater Canal and River Irwell
• Former industrial or regeneration sites that now support early stage habitat
• Urban parks, woodland remnants and greenspace used for local wildlife movement
• Valley systems such as the Irk and Medlock, plus transport routes that act as continuous habitat links
Clear and correctly presented BNG evidence is essential, as planning applications may otherwise face validation issues or delays.
We support projects across the city of Manchester, covering all neighbourhoods including the city centre, Hulme, Ancoats, Ardwick, Chorlton, Didsbury, Withington, Rusholme, Moss Side, Gorton and the wider surrounding areas within the Manchester local authority boundary.
Councils in Manchester look for BNG information at an early stage so they can be confident that your scheme will achieve the required ten percent increase in biodiversity before the layout is finalised. To satisfy this, they need a verified baseline, a completed Metric that shows the change in biodiversity units, and a clear approach for how the gain will be delivered and secured. These steps follow the expectations of NPPF Section 15 and ensure your BNG position is robust during planning.
Having the baseline confirmed early removes the risk of later reclassification and helps protect your programme from avoidable delays.
We produce planning-ready BNG Assessments aligned to Greater Manchester’s policy expectations.
For developments in Manchester, our BNG assessments provide the core information planning officers expect. Each assessment includes:
• a verified UKHab baseline
• a clearly justified Metric
• a practical uplift strategy suited to the site
• planning ready reporting for validation
• optional long term management and gain plan material
This structure supports Manchester City Council’s requirements and offers a proportionate route to demonstrating BNG across a wide range of development types.
Year-round, with optimal survey seasons
Completed once habitat data is verified.
Aligned with design progression and layout refinement.
Only if needed. PEA, EIA, and Protected Species surveys
Contact us, and we’ll confirm exactly what your Manchester site requires. We provide a planning-ready, proportionate route forward.
Yes. Where a development falls within the statutory scope of Biodiversity Net Gain legislation, a BNG assessment must demonstrate at least 10 percent measurable uplift, regardless of whether the site is located in the city centre or outer neighbourhoods.
For high rise developments, baseline habitats are calculated using the Biodiversity Metric. The post development scenario may rely on green roofs, podium planting and public realm enhancements. The assessment must confirm these measures achieve the required uplift in measurable habitat units.
Yes. Even where buildings have been demolished, the site may support temporary grassland, scrub or ruderal habitats. A survey is required to establish the true baseline before modelling the redevelopment scenario.
The Biodiversity Metric calculates habitat units based on area, habitat type and condition. On small plots, available land for enhancement may be limited, making early feasibility modelling critical to avoid shortfalls.
Sites near the River Irwell or associated tributaries may contain riparian habitats or form part of ecological corridors. The assessment must accurately classify these features and consider connectivity within the post development layout.
Yes. Extensive basements or podium structures can restrict soil depth and habitat creation potential. The BNG assessment must reflect realistic deliverability rather than theoretical landscape capacity.
Shortfalls often arise where baseline habitat value is underestimated or where roof and podium habitats are over specified without meeting Biodiversity Metric criteria. Early modelling reduces this risk.
In dense urban contexts, on site uplift may be constrained. If the assessment identifies a deficit in habitat units, registered off site biodiversity units may be secured to meet the statutory requirement.
Manchester City Council acts as the Local Planning Authority and reviews Biodiversity Net Gain assessments submitted alongside planning applications.
Planning guidance can be accessed at:
https://www.manchester.gov.uk/planning
ProHort provides detailed habitat surveys and robust Biodiversity Metric modelling tailored to high density city centre schemes. We work with design teams to test feasibility early, optimise urban biodiversity measures and minimise biodiversity unit deficits.
