Set-Back For Biodiversity Net Gain In England

Last month, I wrote about the principle of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), Defra's development initiative which was due to be introduced in England in November 2023 – click here

By way of brief summary, BNG requires new developments to deliver a new increase in biodiversity of at least 10% on sites (subject to some limited exceptions). As the requirement lasts for 30 years, BNG focuses on ensuring new developments improve their local environments in a meaningful way. In Defra's words, BNG is a plan "for new housing, commercial and infrastructure developments to be "nature positive"".

BNG has suffered a set-back, however, in the form of Rishi Sunak's September U-turn on key green targets. BNG will now be introduced two months later than expected, in January 2024. The original timetable for transitional arrangements (April 2024 for small sites and 2025 for 'Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects') will still remain in place, however.