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
This page applies to:
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developments that need planning permission
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nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs), from 2 November 2026
Who can apply
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 who is not the landowner or leaseholder, but who has the landowner or leaseholder’s formal consent – for example, a developer or ecologist
An applicant can also appoint an agent to manage the application on their behalf.
If you’re the applicant who is not the landowner or leaseholder of the gain site
You will need to confirm you have the consent of all landowners and leaseholders of the gain site to record the allocation. For more information about this requirement, email biodiversitynetgainenquiries@naturalengland.org.uk
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 must complete an ‘authorise an agent to act on your behalf’ form. You must include this with your application.
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. For more information about this requirement, email biodiversitynetgainenquiries@naturalengland.org.uk
Before you apply
You’ll need your statutory biodiversity metric calculation for the development, including the habitat ID of each allocated habitat.
You’ll also need either:
- your planning approval notice, if your development has planning permission
- your development consent order decision letter, if your development is an NSIP
Registration fee
It costs £45 to record the allocation of off-site gains to a development.
You will need to pay the application fee within 28 days of submitting your application.
What happens after you apply
We will let you know within 6 weeks if:
- we need more information from you
- your application to record the allocation of off-site gains to a development has been accepted or rejected
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.
How to apply
Nationally significant infrastructure projects
For nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs), request an application form by emailing bng.applications@naturalengland.org.uk.
Developements with planning permission
For developments with planning permission, you can use this service to record an allocation of off-site gains.
Signing into this service
You’ll need a Government Gateway account and a Defra account to sign into this service.
If you do not already have these accounts or wish to create new ones, you can set these up when you use this service.
You should use your own email address for these accounts, so we can contact you about your application. It can be either your personal email or your work email, if you are applying for an organisation.
Saving your progress
You can save your application and come back to it at any time.
Continue with a saved application
Get help with your application
Email: biodiversitynetgainenquiries@naturalengland.org.uk
We aim to reply within 10 working days.
Give feedback on this guidance by completing a short survey.
Updates to this page
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Updated information about who can apply and what documents are needed. Also updated to explain application process for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs). Biodiversity net gain will be mandatory for NSIPs from 2 November 2026.
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Removed the contact telephone number due to changes to the service. If you need help, you should now email biodiversitynetgainenquiries@naturalengland.org.uk.
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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.