Guidance

Submit a biodiversity gain plan

A biodiversity gain plan shows how a development will achieve biodiversity net gain.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 29 November 2023
• Last updated: 9 October 2024
  Show all updates

  1. 9 October 2024

     Added links to the overall biodiversity gain plan template and phase biodiversity gain plan template.

  2. 26 March 2024

     Clarified that templates for phased developments will be available soon.

  3. 12 February 2024

     Updated box at top of page to state that biodiversity net gain (BNG) is mandatory from 12 February 2024 and removed the 'draft guidance' label. Added phased developments template link.

  4. 29 November 2023

     First published.

Applies to England

The purpose of the plan is to: 

• clearly and consistently demonstrate how development proposals meet the statutory requirements
• provide evidence for your BNG decisions 
• help local planning authorities (LPAs) to determine whether the development meets the BNG requirements

Download a plan template 

Developers should complete a biodiversity gain plan template.

For phased developments, developers should complete an overall
biodiversity gain plan template and a phase biodiversity gain plan template for each phase.

Find out more about the planning process, as well as legal and technical parts of the biodiversity gain plan. 

What to include with your plan 

Developers need to provide their:  

• completed metric tool calculation
• pre-development and post-development plans (showing the location of on-site habitat, the direction of north and drawn to an identified scale) 

Developers must also provide: 

• a compensation plan if the development affects irreplaceable habitats 
• biodiversity net gain register reference numbers if they’re using off-site units 
• proof of purchase if they’re buying statutory biodiversity credits 
• a description of how they will manage and monitor significant on-site gains (for example, with a habitat management and monitoring plan) 

Find out more about what to include in your biodiversity gain plan.

Phased developments

For phased developments there are separate requirements. You will need to complete: 

• an overall biodiversity gain plan   
• a phase biodiversity gain plan

Complete the templates for phased developments.

Submit your plan 

You can submit the biodiversity gain plan to your LPA after they approve your planning application. 

Your planning permission includes the biodiversity gain condition, so you cannot start the development until the LPA approves your biodiversity gain plan and biodiversity metric tool calculation.

Get a decision 

The LPA has 8 weeks to approve or refuse your biodiversity gain plan. If they approve it, you can start the development.

If you do not meet your BNG requirements, the LPA can take enforcement action against you. You may be in breach of: 

• planning conditions  
• planning obligations  
• your legal agreement