Creating a habitat management and monitoring plan for biodiversity net gain
What to include in a habitat management and monitoring plan (HMMP) to improve biodiversity for the long term.
Applies to England
This draft guidance explains what will apply when BNG becomes mandatory. We will continue to update this guidance.
A habitat management and monitoring plan (HMMP) can provide the management and monitoring information for significant on-site enhancements and off-site gains. The HMMP will give a detailed schedule of what you plan to do to:
- create and enhance habitats for biodiversity net gain (BNG)
- manage and monitor the habitat for at least 30 years
Your planning condition or legal agreement states when the 30-year period of management and monitoring starts.
It’s strongly recommended that you work with an ecologist or competent professional to write your HMMP.
Agreeing your HMMP
For off-site gains
If you’re delivering off-site gains, your HMMP should be agreed with one of the following:
- the local planning authority (LPA) if you’re securing gains through a planning obligation (section 106 agreement)
- a responsible body if you’re securing gains with a conservation covenant
For significant on-site enhancements
If you’re a developer delivering significant on-site enhancements, you’ll need to submit the final HMMP with the biodiversity gain plan.
What to include in an HMMP
An ecologist or competent professional will help you understand what and how much detail to include in your HMMP. You’ll need to give information about:
- how you plan to manage the off-site gains or significant on-site enhancements, taking into account any legal restrictions and requirements
- when and how you’ll monitor habitats (this will vary for different types of habitat)
- when and how you’ll report monitoring results
- when and how you’ll review management proposals
- how you’ll restore habitats if the management plan is not working
You should discuss with your LPA any extra requirements they might have for your HMMP.
Using the HMMP template
There’s a set of HMMP tools including a template, checklist and companion guide, to help you write your HMMP.
The HMMP template is a guide with a structure to help you show details of your project. You do not need to fill in every section as not all of it will be relevant to you.
The template can be used for projects of all sizes. It’s suitable for significant on-site enhancements and for off-site gains.
The template’s companion document lists habitat condition and assessment criteria.
Designing your own HMMP
If you design your own HMMP, you can refer to the checklist in the HMMP tools as a reminder for what you need to include.
##Working with an ecologist
If you’re using the HMMP template, the ecologist working with you should write a statement of competence in the relevant section. They should have the appropriate habitat specialisms to cover the watercourse element.
Long term management of significant on-site enhancements
For significant on-site enhancements, arrangements will need to be in place to make it clear who is responsible for the 30-year management. Ownership of the land or responsibility for its management could be passed on from the developer through:
- private contracts
- charitable third parties
- transference to the local authority
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