A habitat management and monitoring plan (HMMP) is a detailed plan that outlines how the land will be managed over at least 30 years to:
- create and enhance habitats for biodiversity net gain (BNG)
- manage and monitor the BNG
There is separate GOV.UK Guidance on Creating a habitat management and monitoring plan for BNG available here.
The following templates and support documents can be downloaded from the bottom of this page:
- Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan Template
- Companion Document
- HMMP Template Checklist
- Small Sites Metric HMMP Template
- Small Sites Metric HMMP Template Habitat Guide
The template incorporates supporting guidance.
The templates are a guide to follow. You should also discuss with your Local Planning Authority any additional requirements they might have for your management and monitoring plan.
Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan Template
The main template is a tool to help structure management and monitoring plans to demonstrate how habitat creation, enhancement, management and monitoring will be undertaken.
It can be used for projects of all sizes and for both on-site and off-site units. It can be specified by any development project, consenting body or landowner to provide the management and monitoring information for the project or site in a standardised and consistent format.
Companion Document
The Companion Document is for use with the main HMMP Template. It contains templates for each broad habitat type used in the statutory biodiversity metric. It also assists authors in completing the ‘Environmental Information’, ‘Creation, Enhancement and Management’ and ‘Monitoring’ sections. The relevant tables can be copied into the main template to tailor the plan for your site or project.
HMMP Checklist
The ‘HMMP Checklist’ provides a summary of the main HMMPT headings and is included with the associated resources. Author and reviewer can scan this list to inform which details to include, or that are included, in the plan. The checklist can also be used to list and link to relevant supporting documents to accompany the templated details if required.
Small Sites Metric HMMP Template
The Small Sites Metric HMMP template can only be used on sites that meet the criteria for ‘small sites’ as defined in The Small Sites Metric (Statutory Biodiversity Metric) User Guide available here.
Small Sites Metric HMMP Template Habitat Guide
The Small Sites Metric HMMPT Habitat Guide provides descriptions of proposed habitat types and conditions allowed in the Small Sites Metric (SSM). The purpose is to assist SSM users, who may not be professional ecologists, in preparing plans for long-term management. The Habitat Guide is not suitable for informing the management and monitoring plans for BNG associated with major developments or more complex habitats.
Additional Tools
The following additional resources are also available:
- Monitoring Report Template
- Monitoring Report Quantitative Summary Template
The Monitoring Report Template can be used to report progress updates on the delivery of the Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan to the relevant authority.
The Word template facilitates presentation of the details needed to evidence the progress of the monitoring. The Excel template is for the records of the key quantitative data in a concise format.
Case Studies
This site will be updated periodically with case studies to inform the use of the HMMPT.
Find out how to use the HMMP Template and where to find relevant guidance (Youtube Video)
Feedback
Natural England continues to welcome technical suggestions and feedback on HMMPT via our mailbox at Biodiversity.NetGain@naturalengland.org.uk
Please note that whilst it may not be possible to respond to all enquiries individually, all suggestions and feedback will be logged and considered.
Page Updates
29/11/2023 – Version 1.0
26/03/2024 – Version 1.0 Small Sites Metric HMMPT and Habitat Guide added
Accessibility
We are aware of some accessibility issues with the content of the downloadable files below and are working to improve this. This statement will be reviewed by 29/4/24