Securing biodiversity net gain

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 our oversight of the delivery of the BNG over the 30-year period.

Off-site biodiversity units sought from a habitat bank do not require additional conditions or a legal agreement with us, 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 our oversight of the delivery of the BNG over the 30-year period.

The Government has created a ‘statutory credits’ scheme. Statutory credits are available to purchase from Natural England as a very last resort option for a planning application if you are unable to use on-site or off-site biodiversity units to deliver your biodiversity net gain.

Prior to purchasing any statutory credits from Natural England you must contact us as you will need to provide evidence they are needed.

Email: biodiversity@dover.gov.uk (opens in new tab)

Statutory credits purchased must be linked to a specific planning application and are not refundable.

• Read more on statutory biodiversity credits (opens in new tab)

Where a legal agreement is required, the BNG HMMP monitoring fee - to cover the cost to us 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:

* 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 eight monitoring events over 30 years will be necessary.

Please note, the standard standing charges covering legal fees and S106 monitoring fees will also apply.

• Read more on section 106 Agreements