Biodiversity Net Gain Checklist

# Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Checklist

**Application Reference:** [Reference]
**Site Address:** [Address]
**Date:** [Date]

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## Pre-Application Checks

- [ ] Is the development BNG-exempt? (Householder, self-build — check regulations)
- [ ] If not exempt, 10% BNG is mandatory under the Environment Act 2021
- [ ] Has a competent ecologist been appointed?
- [ ] Has a baseline habitat survey been completed (within the last 2 years)?

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## Baseline Assessment

- [ ] Baseline habitat plan prepared (mapped to UKHab classification)
- [ ] Biodiversity metric calculation completed (Statutory Biodiversity Metric)
- [ ] Baseline biodiversity units calculated: **[X] habitat units, [X] hedgerow units, [X] watercourse units**
- [ ] Condition assessment of each habitat parcel completed
- [ ] Strategic significance assessed for each habitat

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## Post-Development Assessment

- [ ] Proposed habitat plan prepared
- [ ] Post-development biodiversity units calculated
- [ ] **Minimum 10% net gain achieved?**
- Habitat units: [X] → [X] (change: [+X%])
- Hedgerow units: [X] → [X] (change: [+X%])
- Watercourse units: [X] → [X] (change: [+X%])
- [ ] Trading rules satisfied (like-for-like or better)?
- [ ] No net loss in irreplaceable habitats?

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## BNG Delivery

### On-Site
- [ ] On-site habitat creation/enhancement plan
- [ ] 30-year habitat management and monitoring plan
- [ ] Management responsibilities defined (management company / landowner)
- [ ] Costed schedule of management operations

### Off-Site (if required)
- [ ] Off-site delivery mechanism identified
- [ ] Off-site habitat management plan secured
- [ ] Off-site units registered on the national register

### Statutory Biodiversity Credits (last resort)
- [ ] Credits purchased from Natural England (if on-site and off-site insufficient)

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## Documentation for Submission

- [ ] Biodiversity Gain Plan (required by condition or at application stage)
- [ ] Statutory biodiversity metric calculation (Excel workbook)
- [ ] Baseline and proposed habitat maps
- [ ] 30-year Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP)
- [ ] Signed Biodiversity Gain Plan statement

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## Key Dates & Deadlines

| Milestone | Date |
|-----------|------|
| Baseline survey completed | [Date] |
| Metric calculation completed | [Date] |
| Gain plan submitted | [Date] |
| Pre-commencement condition discharged | [Date] |
| First monitoring report due | [Date — typically Year 2] |

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