Securing BNG

Mandatory BNG is primarily secured in the deemed BNG condition that applies to all applicable planning consents, requiring a Biodiversity Gain Plan to be submitted and approved prior to commencement of development. In accordance with Government guidance, information is provided about the deemed BNG condition, but it is not a numbered condition on your decision notice. 

On-site BNG 

Non-significant on-site BNG will be secured using planning conditions including a Landscape and Ecological Management Plan. 

Significant on-site BNG is required to be maintained and monitored for 30 years following completion. This will be secured with planning conditions including a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP) and a legal agreement that secures a HMMP monitoring fee for DDC’s oversight of the delivery of the BNG over the 30-year period. 

Off-site BNG 

Off-site biodiversity units sought from a habitat bank do not require additional conditions or a legal agreement with DDC but details must be provided in the Biodiversity Gain Plan submitted to discharge the deemed BNG condition. Applicants are advised to discuss and agree this approach during the application and prior to the purchase of units. 

Off-site units to be delivered on land secured through the planning permission will be secured in a legal agreement for a minimum of 30 years following completion, including implementation of an agreed HMMP and a HMMP monitoring fee for DDC’s oversight of the delivery of the BNG over the 30-year period. 

Statutory credits 

The national statutory credit system is a last resort, where BNG cannot be secured through other means, or for small sites requiring less than 0.25 biodiversity units to meet the mandatory minimum BNG. All developments proposing to seek statutory credits must first seek agreement with DDC, as set out in Government guidance (Statutory biodiversity credits - GOV.UK). Statutory credits are non-refundable. 

BNG – HMMP Monitoring Fee 

Where a legal agreement is required, the BNG - HMMP Monitoring Fee, to cover the cost to DDC of monitoring the delivery of off-site and significant on-site BNG over the 30-year period will apply. The charging schedule is set out below: 

	HMMP Monitoring Fee per monitoring event	Total over 30 years**
Non-major application	£800*	£6,400
Major application	£1,500*	£12,000
Application of 10ha+ or creating habitats with high / very high technical difficulty	bespoke fee	bespoke fee

 

* Fees to be subject to indexation at point of payment 

**Monitoring event frequency will be agreed in the approved HMMP, the total is based on an expectation that 8 monitoring events over 30 years will be necessary. 

Please note that the standard standing charges covering legal fees and s106 monitoring fees will also apply Section 106 Agreements