Understanding Biodiversity Gain Plans (BGPs)

Biodiversity Gain Plans (BGPs) are now a mandatory part of the approval process for nearly all new developments across the UK. They are a part of the government’s legislation around Biodiversity Net Gain, which in brief, requires all new developments to provide a 10% gain in biodiversity over a minimum of 30 years.  

This blog post will guide you through the key aspects of a BGP plan, the who, what, why, where and how of them.

Providing a BGP is now essential to comply with the statutory requirements of Biodiversity Net Gain regulations for the vast majority of new developments in the UK. Plainly put, a BGP demonstrates how a new development will achieve the biodiversity net gain required. These legal obligations ensure standardised compliance in planning and approval across the country.

A well-structured BGP helps local planning authorities (LPAs) evaluate whether your development meets the necessary new BNG requirements. It aids in the approval process by offering a comprehensive overview of how your project aligns with biodiversity goals, ensuring that all ecological considerations are thoroughly addressed.

BGPs are mandatory for nearly all new developments, with very few exceptions. The UK’s Biodiversity Net Gain mandate has a narrow and highly specific list of exemptions, however, it’s crucial to understand that these exemptions are the exception, not the rule.

For single-phase developments, any project, regardless of size, that has the potential to impact local habitats must include a BGP. This requirement ensures that even smaller projects consider their ecological impact and contribute to biodiversity enhancement.

In the case of phased developments, larger projects divided into multiple stages must provide both an overall BGP and individual phase plans. This approach guarantees that biodiversity considerations are integrated at every stage of the development process, maintaining a consistent commitment to ecological preservation and enhancement throughout the project’s lifecycle.

Comprehensive and detailed, each BGP will need to cover multiple key aspects of a development proposal to ensure thorough documentation and compliance. In addition, it will need to be accompanied with a set of documents and metric files. Here’s a quick explanation of what needs to be included - either within the plan or alongside it:

Completed Metric Tool Calculation: This assessment tool measures biodiversity gains and losses, providing a quantitative basis for your BGP.

Pre- and Post-Development Plans: Include maps showing the location of on-site habitats, with clear scales and orientation, to visually represent the impact and improvements of your development.

Compensation Plan: If your development affects irreplaceable habitats, you must provide a compensation plan detailing how these impacts will be addressed.

BGP Register Reference Numbers: If you are using off-site units for biodiversity credits, include the relevant reference numbers from the biodiversity gain register.

Proof of Purchase: If you are purchasing statutory biodiversity credits, provide documentation as evidence of the transaction.

Management and Monitoring Description: Describe how significant on-site gains will be managed and monitored. This should include a habitat management and monitoring plan to ensure long-term success and sustainability of biodiversity enhancements.

With the Joe’s Blooms Biodiversity Net Gain Tool, a BGP will be completed automatically when you complete your project. Alternatively, completing your BGP involves a few key steps to ensure accuracy and compliance.

To get started, you can use the standard template provided, which covers all necessary sections you’ll need to include. If you’re working on a phased development, be aware that specific templates for these projects will be needed.

Next, ensure you include all necessary documentation and calculations, all those items listed in the “what to include” above. If you have a small site development, or have multiple small sites, our Biodiversity Net Gain Tool offers end-to-end compliance on all the BNG documents you’ll need, making the process fast, affordable and accurate.

Once your planning application is approved, you should submit your completed BGP to your local planning authority (LPA). The LPA will review your BGP within an 8-week timeframe to either approve or refuse it. It's essential to ensure all documentation is accurate and complete to avoid any delays in the approval process.

Development cannot commence until your BGP and biodiversity metric tool calculation receive approval from the LPA.

Failure to meet BNG requirements can lead to enforcement actions by the LPA. These actions may include breaches of planning conditions, planning obligations, or legal agreements. Therefore, it's crucial to adhere strictly to BNG guidelines throughout the planning and submission process.

A well-prepared BNG plan is essential for ensuring your development project meets all biodiversity net gain requirements, supports ecological sustainability, and complies with legal obligations. By understanding the importance, applicability, necessary inclusions, completion process, and submission requirements, developers can successfully navigate the BNG planning process. To ease this burden, you can also check out our tools for quick, affordable and seamless compliance.