With Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) now a legal requirement for most planning applications in England, securing biodiversity outcomes has never been more important. While on-site enhancements have a role to play, many developments rely on off-site Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans (HMMPs) to be delivered on legally secured Habitat Banks.
At Civity, we specialise in producing off-site HMMPs in collaboration with landowners. These plans ensure that biodiversity gains created outside the development boundary are legally secured, properly managed, and monitored over the long term.
This guide explores why off-site HMMPs are essential, what they involve, and how Civity supports landowners and developers to deliver lasting biodiversity outcomes.
On-Site vs Off-Site HMMPs: Understanding the Difference
Onsite HMMPs apply where biodiversity enhancements are delivered within the development boundary. Some projects achieve BNG entirely onsite, but this is not always possible due to space constraints, habitat suitability, or development design. Off-site HMMPs become essential when biodiversity units are provided on separate land — either owned by the developer or a third party — to meet planning obligations. These off-site habitats must be legally secured, managed, and monitored to maintain their biodiversity value for the required 30-year period.
Civity focuses on off-site HMMPs, supporting landowners who want to offer land for BNG gains and developers who need to meet their BNG requirements using off-site solutions.
Why Off-Site Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans Matter
Off-site HMMPs play a critical role in ensuring biodiversity gains are delivered as promised. They provide the legal and practical framework that guarantees off-site habitats are protected for the long term, properly maintained, and monitored to meet the agreed biodiversity targets. Without robust off-site HMMPs, there is a significant risk that biodiversity units promised during the planning stage may fail to deliver the intended outcomes, leaving developers exposed to compliance issues and planning authorities without confidence in the project’s long-term success.
Key Components of an Off-Site HMMP
When Civity develops an off-site HMMP, the plan covers every aspect needed to deliver and maintain biodiversity gains effectively. It sets out detailed proposals for habitat creation and enhancement, explaining exactly what habitats will be established, how they will be created, and the timeframes involved. It then establishes clear, long-term management strategies, outlining the actions needed to maintain or improve habitat quality over time.
Monitoring schedules are also integral to every HMMP. These define when ecological surveys will take place and specify how the results will be assessed and reported to the local planning authority/responsible body. Finally, the plan ensures full legal and planning compliance by aligning with all relevant BNG legislation, the requirements of the local planning authority/responsible body and Natural England’s requirements. Together, these components provide developers and regulators with confidence that off-site biodiversity units will deliver measurable and lasting benefits.
How Civity Works with Landowners and Developers
Civity bridges the gap between landowners offering land for BNG and developers needing off-site units to meet planning obligations. We collaborate closely with landowners to design practical, evidence-based management proposals that reflect the realities of each site. Our team prepares legally robust HMMPs that meet the highest standards required by Local Planning Authorities/Responsible Bodies and Natural England.
Beyond plan preparation, we provide monitoring frameworks that give confidence in the long-term success of the habitats. Where necessary, we also advise on adaptive management, enabling landowners to respond to changing conditions or unforeseen challenges to maintain biodiversity performance over time, i.e. ensuring the tree species we propose are suitable for predicted climate change/flooding scenarios.
The Role of Legal Agreements in Off-Site HMMPs
Every off-site biodiversity gain must be supported by a legal agreement, in the form of a SE106 agreement or a conservation Covenant and registered on the Biodiversity Gains Site Register. These agreements ensure the land is legally tied to its intended purpose for at least thirty years, preventing any future change of use that could compromise biodiversity outcomes.
Civity ensures that every HMMP integrates seamlessly with these legal frameworks. Our plans provide the clear evidence, structured commitments, and management detail required to give regulators complete confidence in the project’s long-term delivery.
Delivering Long-Term Success Through Monitoring
Monitoring forms the backbone of any off-site HMMP. Civity designs practical monitoring programmes that track habitat conditions against biodiversity metric targets, providing regular updates to planning authorities/responsible bodies at agreed intervals. This process creates transparency and accountability, ensuring all parties can see progress and understand where further action might be needed. We go above and beyond, and provide annual monitoring (at the least) as opposed to the statutory minimum.
Where monitoring identifies challenges or underperformance, we provide recommendations for adaptive management to bring habitats back on track. This approach ensures off-site biodiversity units continue to meet their commitments and deliver meaningful gains for nature over the full management period.
Why Choose Civity for Off-Site HMMPs
At Civity, we combine ecological expertise with in-depth knowledge of BNG policy and planning requirements. Our off-site HMMPs are comprehensive, addressing every stage from habitat creation to long-term monitoring and legal compliance. Each plan is tailored to reflect the specific needs of the land and project, ensuring practical solutions that work in the real world.
We follow best practice and statutory guidance throughout, producing plans that are not only robust but also fully defensible if scrutinised by planning authorities or regulators. Whether you are a landowner offering biodiversity units or a developer seeking off-site gains, Civity provides the expertise and support needed to secure lasting biodiversity outcomes.
Get in Touch
If you are looking to develop off-site HMMPs for BNG delivery, Civity can help. Contact us today at https://civitynge.com/ to learn how our bespoke plans support both landowners and developers in meeting their biodiversity obligations.
** The information in this blog is provided by Civity for general guidance and awareness around Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) policy and practice in England. While we aim to ensure content is accurate and up to date at the time of publication, it should not be relied upon as legal advice or as a substitute for detailed planning or ecological consultancy input.
Civity does not provide legal services and cannot offer guarantees on planning decisions, BNG unit sales, or outcomes determined by local planning authorities, Natural England, or responsible bodies.
Readers are encouraged to seek professional advice relevant to their specific circumstances, particularly in relation to legal agreements, land use planning, or habitat surveys.
