Critical But Confusing? Navigating the BNG Terminology Trap
A Case Study with Irwell's Affordable Homes in Manchester
In the last 12 months, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) has emerged as a critical component of the planning process.
But it can also be confusing, as our recent project with Irwell's—an affordable homes developer in Manchester—revealed. This presents a real risk for those first approaching a BNG project
An innocent misunderstanding between different parties’ paperwork could result in frustrating and expensive delays…
The Irwell's Experience: A Tale of Two HMMP’s
With BNG, the role of a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP) is more crucial than ever for developers and planning consultants.
The HMMP is not a new concept: read our blog on the subject here
Yet the Irwell's project highlighted a point of confusion in BNG documentation.
We found ourselves working with two different Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans, each with slightly different scopes and requirements.
The first HMMP was developed as part of the traditional planning process, addressing the immediate environmental impact of the development and outlining management strategies for the existing habitats on the site.
This document was tied to the clients Development Site, and a legally binding contract between the developer and the local authority to ensure certain conditions are met.
The second HMMP was specifically focused on the BNG Habitat Banks, detailing how the BNG would be delivered over a 30 year period to ensure the biodiversity uplift was delivered over the 30-year period.
This document included more detailed metrics, monitoring protocols, and long-term management strategies specifically tailored to enhancing biodiversity.
In the Irwell's project, we had to carefully coordinate between the on-site HMMP and the documentation for off-site biodiversity units. This required clear communication with all stakeholders, and a thorough understanding of how each document contributed to the overall BNG strategy.
Lessons Learned
Our experience with Irwell's taught us several valuable lessons about managing BNG projects:
Clarify documentation early: Establish which HMMPs are required and their specific purposes at the project's outset.
Educate all stakeholders: Ensure everyone involved understands the various documents and their requirements.
Maintain consistent terminology: Use clear and consistent terms across all project documentation to avoid confusion.
Crystal clear communication: Coordinating between different parties in culturally different industries (property development and habitat management)
As BNG becomes more understood these nuances will likely wash out.
Until then, careful attention to the nuances of terms like HMMP and Section 106 will be essential for successful project delivery – and to avoid frustrating delays in projects.
Our mission is to give you BNG Certainty, so by sharing our experience with Irwell's, we hope to contribute to a clearer understanding of BNG terminology and help you navigate this evolving landscape with greater confidence.