Biodiversity Net Gain in Greater Manchester
We have been working locally with partners to prepare for BNG and establish new processes for planning reviews and determinations to ensure an efficient planning process.
On-Site Biodiversity Net Gain
To support this, we have detailed guidance to provide greater clarity on how BNG will work within Greater Manchester, provide a consistent framework around planning applications, and help applicants understand submission requirements.
GMCA Biodiversity Net Gain Guidance for Greater Manchester (PDF, 2.36MB)
Off-Site Biodiversity Net Gain
As well as ensuring an efficient planning process, we have been working to prepare for and maximise the opportunities BNG will create for habitat restoration outside development sites, through off-site BNG.
Assessment of Offsite Need for and Supply of Biodiversity Units
A supply and demand study of biodiversity units outside the development sites was undertaken by Greater Manchester Ecology Unit (GMEU) in 2024.
The findings revealed that the offsite BNG demand in Greater Manchester could amount to £132.8 million or £8.8 million annually over 15 years, therefore revealing the substantial demand for offsite BNG units in Greater Manchester.
Assessment of Offsite Need for and Supply of Biodiversity Units
In order to be able to sell off-site Biodiversity Units, Habitat Banks need to be officially Registered on a national Register. In order to be Registered, Habitat Banks need:
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Either sign a general S106 agreement with local authorities
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Or enter into a legal agreement with a recognised Responsible Body
More information on these options is provided below.
Sign a general S106 agreement with local authorities
Securing a S106 with a local authority is one of the ways for third parties to legally secure their sites for off-site BNG. Several of the Greater Manchester local authorities have already been approached by third parties asking them to enter into S106s.
GMCA have produced guidance setting out the process for verifying and auditing habitat banks that come forward for S106 agreements in Greater Manchester, detailing the roles the Local Planning Authority and GMEU (or in-house ecologists) will play to ensure successful delivery of offsite BNG. Its purpose is to provide consistent guidance to be used in the absence of any district specific guidance which may be available.
Please check the website of your Local Planning Authority to find out whether they have adopted the guidance and contact details for further enquiries. If you are proposing schemes in Stockport, please check Stockport Council’s website for guidance and contact the Local Planning Authority directly for advice.
Greater Manchester Habitat Bank Verification and Auditing Guidance.
Enter into a legal agreement with a recognised Responsible Body
Conservation covenants provide an alternative legal mechanism to Section 106 agreements for securing biodiversity gain sites. A conservation covenant agreement must be between a landowner and a designated Responsible Body. Landowners can approach any designated responsible body to discuss setting up a conservation covenant agreement.
Click on this link to access the list of designated Responsible Bodies able to enter into conservation covenant agreements with landowners in England.
In terms of Greater Manchester Responsible Bodies able to enter into conservation covenants, the Greater Manchester Environment Fund was appointed by Defra in September 2024.
In July 2024 GMCA also submitted an application to Defra to become a Responsible Body and is expecting to hear about the status of that shortly.
Biodiversity Net Gain Strategic Significance and the Greater Manchester Local Nature Recovery Strategy
In the guidance note below, we set out the approach that should be taken in determining strategic significance in relation to the Statutory Biodiversity Metric using the Draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy (published Nov 15th 2024). The approach set out follows the Defra Statutory Biodiversity Metric User Guidance (July 2024).