DEFRA publishes a further consultation (until 10/06/2026) relating to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) …

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has published the following further consultation, which runs for 8 weeks from 15/04/2026 until 10/06/2026:

Consultation document:

  • April 2026: Biodiversity Net Gain - considering a targeted exemption for residential brownfield development - Consultation document (pdf) (link) (link).

Notes:

  • The "Introduction" within the above consultation document includes the following information:
    - "In May 2025, the Government consulted on improving the implementation of BNG  [Biodiversity Net Gain] for minor, medium and brownfield development, alongside a separate consultation on applying BNG to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs).".
    - "The Government set out its intention for BNG alongside the publication of the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for consultation in December 2025. The responses to these consultations have now been published, and government has confirmed it will be introducing an exemption for sites under 0.2 hectares, as well as other targeted exemptions and simplifications. This includes measures to help address the challenges of delivering BNG on brownfield sites with Open Mosaic Habitat (OMH), an ecologically valuable habitat which can establish on previously developed sites.".
    - "The Government also announced it would consult rapidly on options for a potential further exemption to better support brownfield residential development on sites up to 2.5 hectares. This consultation sets out options for this further potential exemption to better support brownfield (previously developed) land coming forward for residential development. This is in line with proposed wider reforms to create a more rules-based planning system and support housing delivery on suitable urban land.".
  • The DEFRA webpage (link) for the above consultation document also includes the following document:
    - "Consultation letter".

Other sources of information:

  • January 2022: [DEFRA] Consultation on Biodiversity Net Gain Regulations and Implementation (link).
  • February 2023: [DEFRA] Consultation on Biodiversity Net Gain regulations and implementation - Government response and summary of responses (link).
  • Ongoing (from February 2023 onwards): [DEFRA] Guidance - "Understanding biodiversity net gain" (link).
  • Ongoing (from November 2023 onwards): [DEFRA] Guidance - "Biodiversity net gain: what local planning authorities should do" (link).
  • January 2024: "Explanatory Memorandum" to SI 2024 No. 50 (pdf) (link).
  • February 2024: SI 2024 No. 50 - The Biodiversity Gain (Town and Country Planning) (Modifications and Amendments) (England) Regulations 2024 (pdf) (link).
    - Note: For more information about the above document, please view this post.
  • May 2025: Government press release - "Government backs SME builders to get Britain building" (link).
  • May 2025: [DEFRA] Improving the implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain for minor, medium and brownfield development - Consultation document (pdf) (link) (link).
    - Note: For more information about the above document, please view this post.
  • May 2025: [DEFRA] Consultation on Biodiversity Net Gain for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (pdf) (link) (link).
    - Note: For more information about the above document, please view this post.
  • April 2026: [DEFRA] Improving the implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain for minor, medium and brownfield development - Government response and summary of responses (link) (pdf print version of HTML webpage).
    - Note: For more information about the above document, please view this post.
  • April 2026: [DEFRA] Biodiversity Net Gain for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects - Summary of responses and government response (link) (pdf print version of HTML webpage).
    - Note: For more information about the above document, please view this post.