DEFRA publishes its 2 responses to the 2 consultations (which ran until 24/07/2025) relating to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) …

[UPDATE: For the subsequent legislation relating to this consultation, please view the following posts:
- This post for the legislation relating to minor, medium and brownfield development.]

[UPDATE: For a subsequent further consultation, please view this post.]

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has published the following 2 responses to the 2 consultations relating to relating to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) (which ran for (approx) 8 weeks from 28/05/2025 until 24/07/2025):

Response documents:

  • 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).
  • April 2026: [DEFRA] Biodiversity Net Gain for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects - Summary of responses and government response (link) (pdf print version of HTML webpage).

Notes:

  • The "Introduction and context" section within the first of the above response documents includes the following information:
    - "The consultation on improving the implementation of BNG [Biodiversity Net Gain] for minor, medium, and brownfield development explored 4 key areas:
    >>> improving exemptions
    >>> streamlining the BNG metric process
    >>> increasing flexibility to go off-site for minor development
    >>> brownfield development with open mosaic habitat (OMH)".
    - "This government response summarises the feedback received and outlines any resulting changes to policy or processes. Where policy positions have been amended or clarified, these changes are clearly signposted. A detailed summary of responses to each question is presented in Annex A.".
  • The "Introduction" section within the second of the above response documents includes the following information:
    - "The consultation on the implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) was launched in May 2025 and ran for 8 weeks. The consultation outlined government’s proposals for the BNG requirement for NSIPs and proposed model text for a biodiversity gain statement that would apply across NSIP sectors.".
    - "This document summarises responses to the BNG for NSIPs consultation and the government’s response to that consultation. The sections of the document mirror the sections of the model text of the biodiversity gain statement in the consultation.".
    - "The updated model text for biodiversity gain statements (‘model text’), which will apply across all NSIP types, is presented in Annex 1.".
  • Note: The webpage (link) for the first of the above response documents also includes the following document:
    - "Biodiversity net gain (BNG) area-based exemption evidence annex".
  • Note: The webpage (link) for the second of the above response documents also includes the following document:
    - "Impact assessment".

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.