Government sets out BNG timetable 

Developers will be required to deliver 10 per cent biodiversity net gain (BNG) from January 2024, delayed from November 2023. 

For small sites, this will be applicable from April 2024, and implementation for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) is planned for 2025. 

Confirmation comes after the BBC reported on 27 September that the introduction of a mandatory 10 per cent biodiversity net gain (BNG) for housing, industrial and commercial developments would not come into force this year.  

Earlier this month, the RTPI published research showing that 61 per cent of public sector planners cannot confirm that they’ll have dedicated in-house biodiversity net gain (BNG) resource and ecological expertise in place by November. This is according to a continuing survey of the institute’s members. 

BNG was introduced in the Environment Act 2021. It forms part of the government’s plans to halt the decline in species abundance by 2030 while helping to create more beautiful communities and deliver new homes. 

The government has said that by the end of November, it will have published all guidance and regulations related to BNG, including: 

• The statutory biodiversity metric. 
• The draft biodiversity gain plan template to help developers prepare for what they will need to complete during the planning application stages. 
• The Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan template, would set out how the improved significant on-site and off-site habitats will be managed for the long term. 
• A package of BNG guidance that sets out further advice for landowners, developers, and local planning authorities about their roles and responsibilities in delivering mandatory BNG. 

Trudy Harrison, biodiversity minister, commented: “Biodiversity net gain will ensure new developments work for both wildlife and people. We will create nature-rich places whilst ensuring communities get the new homes and infrastructure they need. 

“The updated timetable and guidance… will help smooth the transition ahead of the biodiversity net gain going fully live in January 2024.” 

Yesterday (27 September), Victoria Hills, chief executive at the RTPI, welcomed the delay. “We hope to see the government using this additional time to provide further details on how this implementation will work and we’ll continue to engage with ministers and officials behind the scenes to urgently clarify the details of BNG regulations.” 

The government said there would be further updates “in due course”. 

28 September 2023 
Laura Edgar, The Planner

Our planning news is published in association with The Planner, the official magazine of the Royal Town Planning Institute.