The government has proposed major changes to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements under planning reforms.
Minor residential development schemes of one to nine homes would benefit from a ‘streamlined’ BNG requirement, including the ‘option of a full exemption’.
There would also be a new ‘medium’ development threshold of 10-49 units with less onerous BNG requirements.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) announced the proposals with a consultation being held by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).
The consultation document – titled ‘Improving the implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain for minor, medium and brownfield development’ – is open until July 24. It is online here.
It also includes options for extending exemptions, simplifying the BNG small sites metric and increasing ease of access to the off-site market for BNG.
A separate consultation has also been announced by the government into BNG for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP). It is here. The measures for NSIPs are due to come into effect in May 2026.
The proposed reforms have been introduced as part of the government’s drive for 1.5m new homes over the course of this Parliament.
BNG currently requires developers in England to deliver 10% positive impact on the biodiversity associated with their sites. It became mandatory in 2024 and can be achieved via on-site habitat schemes, off site if not feasible onsite and the purchase of biodiversity credits.
There are certain exemptions, such as some householder schemes including extensions, conservatories and loft conversions.
Any easing and improvement of the BNG rules which makes the planning process more efficient, fairer, cost-effective and simpler in a way which balances the need for development and protection of the environment is to be welcomed.
We will examine the small print of the consultation documents and submit our responses in due course.
Please contact us to find our more about how these changes could affect your plans or project.
