If your scheme requires planning advice on a full or outline application that qualifies for biodiversity net gain then please use our pre-application service. Our Ecology Team will be consulted as part of this process.
We cannot give refunds on our pre-application service once we have validated your request.
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Pre-application Advice Note
Our BNG Pre-application advice note [PDF] explains how new legislation will help deliver a 10% minimum increase in biodiversity and how it will affect how your planning application is assessed. Following this advice will increase the chances that your application will meet the requirements needed for your scheme to proceed.
Request advice
If your scheme needs planning advice on a Full or Outline application that has to meet BNG please use our pre-application service and our Ecology Team will be bought into the process.
Fees
All fees include 20% VAT
30 minute call with Ecology team - £79
This level does not include a face-to-face meeting, site visit or advice from other internal specialists
Site visit and discussion - £462
A discussion on site with a Ecology Officer.
Please note: no written feedback is provided with this service.
Site visits for general advice can be set-up quickly, usually within ten days from validation. There is no need to submit plans or information beforehand, although anything you can send could help discussions.
Pre-application advice - £576
This is a more formal process directed at proposals. It includes a site visit and written advice
If you wish for a meeting following the site visit, the fee would be £678.
Pre-application timeframe
Submissions for pre-application advice will need to include a location plan and some text on the background to the proposals. Once this information has been submitted and validated, a site visit can generally be arranged through a phone call within 10 days from receipt and we anticipate that a site visit could be arranged within 21 days of that initial call. A written response will be provided within 2 weeks of the site visit.