Planning checklists

You must submit the minimum biodiversity net gain requirements and the local requirements for all small site planning applications. 

Submit all the necessary information when you apply for planning permission. 

You will also need to submit all other relevant supporting information. The case officer may ask for it at the pre-application stage or during the application process. 

From 2 April 2024, small site plans must have 10% more biodiversity. Examples of a small site include:

• applications of one and nine dwellings on a site of an area one hectare or less or if the number of dwellings is unknown, the site area is less than 0.5 hectares
• commercial development where floor space created is less than 1,000 sq m or total site area is less than one hectare

If you think your site is exempt from this requirement, check the biodiversity net gain guidance.

Reasons for an exemption must be provided in your application form and be supported by evidence.

Check Southwark Maps and select layer 'Priority Habitats in Southwark and within 500m of the Southwark borough boundary correct as of February 2024' to check whether your site has priority habitat. If it does, you will not be able to claim an exemption.

Minimum requirements

Read what you need to include when submitting a planning application.

It includes a completed small sites (statutory) metric and a scaled plan showing on-site habitats. A competent person such as an ecologist should complete the metric. They need special knowledge of habitat types and conditions. They can advise on the calculations.  

Priority habitats conserve biodiversity, are nationally listed and are promoted through agri-environment schemes. You can check if your site includes priority habitat on Southwark Maps (select ‘Priority habitats’ layer within 500m of the Southwark boundary). If it does,, you will not be able to claim an exemption. 

You can find an ecology consultant on the CIEEM website. Use our pre-application service if you are unclear on the requirements of your biodiversity net gain strategy. 

Besides the minimum information requirements (set by government), we also need: 

• the correct statutory biodiversity metric with the post-development tabs completed showing how you intend to achieve the minimum 10% biodiversity net gain target
• photographs and maps
• a biodiversity report showing how you have followed the biodiversity gain hierarchy
• justification of the use of off-site biodiversity units or statutory biodiversity credits
• draft on-site post-intervention proposed habitat plan
•  a site baseline habitat plan and of any an off-site post-intervention proposed habitat plan   

Schemes that propose considerable biodiversity or off-site gains need more details on the biodiversity net gain strategy. You should discuss this with us at the pre-application stage.  

After we have granted approval

Once you get planning approval, you must submit a biodiversity gain plan (BGP)  that includes:

• your final small sites biodiversity metric
• pre and post-development plans

If your site has a big biodiversity net gain, or if there will be off-site gains, you must also include a habitat management and monitoring plan.  It must show how the land will be managed for biodiversity net gain for a minimum of 30 years.