Biodiversity Net Gain: UK government announces delay

At the end of September, the UK government announced that it would be postponing the implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) legislation, which requires developers to measurably improve the condition of biodiversity as part of development. The 2-month delay shifts the timeline for Biodiversity Net Gain, which was originally planned to become a legal requirement for most developments from November 2023. The legislation will now be enacted in January 2024, allowing the government some much-needed time to work with local planning authorities to ensure that they have the resources necessary to help developers deliver the mandatory 10% Biodiversity Net Gain.

The UK government has committed itself to nature conservation, including protecting 30% of the country's land by 2030. For years, urban development has been a major driver of biodiversity loss, with Biodiversity Net Gain offering a promising approach for developers to contribute positively to nature's recovery, provided it is implemented effectively and rigorously.

Some key stakeholders such as the Wildlife Trusts have expressed concerns about the finer points of the BNG policy, as well as proposed changes to development rules, which they believe could undermine BNG's potential. These include concerns about the expansion of development without providing essential green spaces, the exemption of permitted development from BNG requirements, and the potential for excess biodiversity gains to be sold, limiting the policy's effectiveness. The delay is seen as an opportunity to address these concerns, invest in local planning authorities, and ensure that BNG supports nature recovery as intended.