Record allocation of off-site biodiversity gains to a development
Find out what to do and how much it costs to record allocation of off-site biodiversity gains to a development.
Applies to England
You can apply to record allocation of off-site biodiversity gains to a development if you’re:
- a landowner or leaseholder of the gain site you’re allocating from
- another person (for example, a developer or ecologist) who is not the landowner or leaseholder of the gain site
- an agent acting on behalf of the applicant (a landowner, leaseholder or another person)
Before you apply
If you’re an agent acting on behalf of the applicant
You must be authorised by the applicant, which is either, the landowner. leaseholder or another person, to record allocation of off-site biodiversity gains to a development on their behalf. They will need to complete an ‘authorise an agent to act on your behalf’ form. You must send this with your application form.
If you are an employee or a representative of an organisation, you do not need to complete an authorise an agent form.
If you are an agent acting on behalf of another person who is not the landowner or leaseholder of the gain site, you will need to confirm you have the consent of all landowners or leaseholders to record the allocation.
How to record allocation of off-site biodiversity gains to a development
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You will need to download and complete the relevant forms to record the allocation. These will need to be sent to Natural England to be processed.
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When we email you back, we will ask you to send us your statutory biodiversity metric calculation and the planning application decision notice for the development project from the local planning authority. We will also give you details on how and when to pay the application fee.
You must send your statutory biodiversity metric calculation to us within 14 days of us requesting it. You should have it ready before you submit your application form.
Once we receive your full application, we will send you an email with confirmation. -
You will need to pay the £45 application fee within 28 days of sending us your statutory biodiversity metric calculation. Once we receive your payment, we will send you a payment confirmation email.
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We will check your application. We will let you know if we need more information from you or if you have been accepted or rejected.
We will email you with a decision on your application.
Withdrawals and refunds
Once we have made a decision on your application you cannot withdraw it. Refunds will not be given.
You can read the terms and conditions for more information on withdrawals, refunds and how we approve or reject applications.
Contact us if you need help
Telephone: 0300 060 3900
Opening times:
- March to September - Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm
- October to February - Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm
Closed on public holidays.
Email: biodiversitynetgainenquiries@naturalengland.org.uk
We aim to reply within 10 working days.
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Last updated 15 April 2024 + show all updates
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Added to step 2 that when we email you back, we will also ask you to send us the planning application decision notice for the development project from the local planning authority.
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Opening times to helpline has changed to Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm during October and February.
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First published.