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Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans

As part of the mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements, it is essential to maintain on-site and off-site gains for at least 30 years. A legal agreement must be made, which includes detailed information on how the habitats will be managed, maintained, and monitored and who will be responsible for them. This agreement is called the Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP), and it should be written and compiled by a competent professional ecologist.

For off-site gains, the HMMP must be agreed with the Local Planning Authority if the gains are secured through a Section 106 agreement or a Responsible Body if the gains are secured through a Conservation Covenant. For on-site enhancements, the HMMP will be submitted alongside the Biodiversity Gain Plan as part of the planning process.

The HMMP should detail how the capital works required for habitat enhancement and creation will be undertaken and, more importantly, how these habitats will be managed and maintained. This stage is essential to securing long-term BNG targets and avoiding costly reinstatement due to habitat failures.

The HMMP must also include plans for monitoring the habitats and how the monitoring results will be reported to inform change. Creating and enhancing habitats is a complex task, and many unknown factors could emerge over the course of 30 years, such as climate change and the emergence of new pests and diseases. Therefore, HMMPs must be flexible and adaptable, with management prescriptions regularly reviewed and updated.

Good HMMPs will help facilitate the successful delivery of BNG and help achieve habitat targets. Although they are a statutory requirement, they should also be a practical aid for landowners and land managers.

To learn more about our BNG and HMMP services, please visit our website at www.biodiversity-net-gain.co.uk.As part of the mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements, it is essential to maintain on-site and off-site gains for at least 30 years. A legal agreement must be made, which includes detailed information on how the habitats will be managed, maintained, and monitored and who will be responsible for them. This agreement is called the Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP), and it should be written and compiled by a competent professional ecologist.

For off-site gains, the HMMP must agree with the Local Planning Authority if the gains are secured through a Section 106 agreement or a Responsible Body if the gains are secured through a Conservation Covenant. For on-site enhancements, the HMMP will be submitted alongside the Biodiversity Gain Plan as part of the planning process.

The HMMP should detail how the capital works required for habitat enhancement and creation will be undertaken and, more importantly, how these habitats will be managed and maintained. This stage is essential to securing long-term BNG targets and avoiding costly reinstatement due to habitat failures.

The HMMP must also include plans for monitoring the habitats and how the monitoring results will be reported to inform change. Creating and enhancing habitats is a complex task, and many unknown factors could emerge over the course of 30 years, such as climate change and the emergence of new pests and diseases. Therefore, HMMPs must be flexible and adaptable, with management prescriptions regularly reviewed and updated.

Good HMMPs will help facilitate the successful delivery of BNG and help achieve habitat targets. Although they are a statutory requirement, they should also be a practical aid for landowners and land managers.

To learn more about our BNG and HMMP services, please visit our website at www.biodiversity-net-gain.co.uk.As part of the mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements, it is essential to maintain on-site and off-site gains for at least 30 years. A legal agreement must be made, which includes detailed information on how the habitats will be managed, maintained, and monitored and who will be responsible for them. This agreement is called the Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP) and should be written and compiled by a competent professional ecologist.

For off-site gains, the HMMP must agree with the Local Planning Authority if the gains are secured through a Section 106 agreement or a Responsible Body if the gains are secured through a Conservation Covenant. For on-site enhancements, the HMMP will be submitted alongside the Biodiversity Gain Plan as part of the planning process.

The HMMP should detail how the capital works required for habitat enhancement and creation will be undertaken and, more importantly, how these habitats will be managed and maintained. This stage is essential to securing long-term BNG targets and avoiding costly reinstatement due to habitat failures.

The HMMP must also include plans for monitoring the habitats and how the monitoring results will be reported to inform change. Creating and enhancing habitats is a complex task, and many unknown factors could emerge over the course of 30 years, such as climate change and the emergence of new pests and diseases. Therefore, HMMPs must be flexible and adaptable, with management prescriptions regularly reviewed and updated.

Good HMMPs will help facilitate the successful delivery of BNG and help achieve habitat targets. Although they are a statutory requirement, they should also be a practical aid for landowners and land managers.

To learn more about our BNG and HMMP services, please visit https://www.biodiversity-net-gain.co.uk/news-details/124/habitat-management-and-monitoring-plans.htm

Author: Lottie Wood.