BNG Monitoring Survey Brief Template: What to Include and Questions to Ask
A BNG monitoring survey brief should specify exactly what you need for the 30-year BNG obligation. Use this template to commission the right survey for your project.
Your BNG Brief Template
Project Information
| Item | What to Specify | | --- | --- | | Development type | Major / minor / small sites | | Red line boundary | Site boundary plan | | Pre-development habitats | UK Hab habitat map | | Post-development habitats | Biodiversity Gain Plan habitat proposals | | Biodiversity unit baseline | Statutory Biodiversity Metric pre-development value | | LPA | Local planning authority | | Planning reference | If pre-application | | Strategic significance | High / medium / low — confirm with ecologist |
Monitoring Objectives
| Item | What to Specify | | --- | --- | | Target conditions | Condition targets for each habitat type | | Success criteria | Aligned with Statutory Biodiversity Metric | | Risk thresholds | Triggers for adaptive management intervention | | Reporting authority | LPA or responsible body |
Survey Methodology
| Item | What to Specify | | --- | --- | | UK Hab classification | Standard classification method | | Quadrat sampling | For grassland habitats | | Seasonal window | April–October for most habitats | | Monitoring frequency | Years 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 (standard) or custom schedule | | Species surveys | If protected species are present |
Required Deliverables
| Deliverable | Required? | Format | | --- | --- | --- | | Baseline habitat survey | Yes | PDF report | | Biodiversity Metric 4.0 calculation | Yes | Excel (Metric tool) | | Biodiversity Gain Plan | Yes | PDF | | Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP) | Yes | Word / PDF | | Monitoring Report Template (MRT) — Word | Per visit | Word | | Monitoring Report Template (MRT) — Excel | Per visit | Excel | | Statement of ecological competence | Yes | PDF |
Technical Standards
| Standard | Requirement | | --- | --- | | Habitat classification | UK Hab standard | | Biodiversity metric | Defra Statutory Biodiversity Metric 4.0 | | Ecologist qualification | CIEEM-qualified for major developments | | HMMP template | Natural England template (recommended) | | Survey timing | April–October seasonal window |
Questions to Ask the Ecologist
| Category | Question | Why It Matters | | --- | --- | --- | | Competence | Are you CIEEM-qualified? | Professional standard for major developments | | | Do you have a statement of competence for the HMMP? | Required by national planning guidance | | | Do you have watercourse specialisms if needed? | Important for blue ribbon network sites | | Experience | Have you worked with [LPA name] before? | LPA-specific requirements vary | | | What's your experience with [habitat type]? | Habitat complexity affects accuracy | | Scope | What's included in your quote? | Avoid hidden extras | | | How do you handle adaptive management? | What happens if habitat fails | | | Can you handle the full 30-year monitoring programme? | Long-term commitment | | Fees | What's the fee for the baseline survey + HMMP? | Upfront cost | | | Per-visit monitoring fee? | Annual/5-yearly cost | | | LPA monitoring fee estimate? | Third-party cost | | Timeline | Can you deliver within our planning deadline? | Programme critical |
Natural England HMMP Template
Natural England provides free templates for BNG monitoring:
| Template | Purpose | | --- | --- | | Main HMMP Template | Structures the 30-year management and monitoring plan | | HMMP Companion Document | Habitat condition tables for each broad habitat type | | HMMP Template Checklist | Ensures all required information is included | | Small Sites HMMP Template | Simplified version for sites meeting small sites criteria | | Monitoring Report Template (MRT) — Word | Evidence monitoring progress at each visit | | Monitoring Report Template (MRT) — Excel | Quantitative data in concise format |
Download from: publications.naturalengland.org.uk
2025 BNG Monitoring Survey Costs
| Cost Component | Range (ex VAT) | | --- | --- | | Baseline habitat survey + Metric | £1,500–£7,500+ | | Biodiversity Gain Plan | £800–£2,500 | | HMMP drafting | £500–£2,000 | | Per monitoring visit | £570–£1,140 | | Monitoring report | £300–£800 | | MRT completion | £200–£500 per report | | LPA monitoring fees | Varies by council | | 30-year programme (typical small–medium) | £8,000–£25,000+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I specify the monitoring schedule in my brief?
Yes — standard schedule is years 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30. Some LPAs require more frequent monitoring. Confirm with your LPA.
Q: What is the Natural England MRT?
The Monitoring Report Template (MRT) has two parts: a Word document for evidencing monitoring progress and an Excel template for quantitative data. It is the standard reporting format for BNG monitoring.
Q: Does the ecologist need to do the full 30-year programme?
It is standard practice for the same ecologist to handle the full programme, but this is not mandatory. The HMMP and MRT templates ensure continuity if ecologists change.
Q: Can I add deliverables after commissioning?
Yes — but at additional cost. Commission everything upfront.
Q: What if the ecologist misses something in the brief?
Contact immediately and request correction. Professional ecologists include revisions within scope.
Q: What is a statement of ecological competence?
A statement of the ecologist's qualifications, experience, and specialisms. It is required in the HMMP to demonstrate that the monitoring will be carried out by a competent professional.