Like royalty, Biodiversity Net Gain has two birthdays. One falls in February (the overall launch of the scheme), before another round in April. On April the 2nd, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) celebrates the first full year of implementation for small sites, a crucial milestone given their collective impact.
Since coming into force, BNG has transformed the way developments interact with nature, requiring that any loss to biodiversity is not only mitigated, but improved by at least 10%. And yet, despite its clear potential to have huge benefits for nature, reports suggest that the future of BNG remains under discussion in Government circles.
With the Government's planning reforms putting nature well and truly in the spotlight, now is the moment to reinforce, not weaken, this critical policy. BNG is not a barrier to development. It’s a proven solution - one that can deliver economic progress while restoring and enhancing nature.
The importance of BNG in a new era of development
In just a year, BNG has catalysed a critical new market for biodiversity enhancement, unlocking up to £200 million annually in private investment for nature recovery and creating a potential £1 billion fund by 2030. By ensuring new developments contribute positively to nature, BNG offers an innovative way to close the substantial finance gap for nature restoration, and reduces the reliance on public funds.
Indeed, public support for BNG remains strong, with 68% of people backing the policy. This widespread enthusiasm, particularly linked to BNG’s in-built emphasis on delivering nature enhancements locally first and foremost, underscores the necessity of maintaining and strengthening the policy, rather than rolling back its protections. With the right adjustments, BNG can continue to drive positive change, to the benefit of nature, local communities and the economy.
Facing the challenges
While BNG has demonstrated its potential, key challenges must be tackled too for it to deliver the full benefits.
One major concern is the misuse of exemptions. Data from the Planning Portal indicates that over 75% of applicants claim BNG does not apply to them, often citing vague exemptions such as ‘de minimis’ or ‘self-build.’ These loopholes allow developments to sidestep BNG, undermining its effectiveness. Another significant issue is enforcement. Without robust monitoring, there is a real risk that biodiversity gains remain as paper plans rather than being delivered on the ground. Research shows that only 53% of ecological enhancements promised by housing developments are actually implemented. Without better oversight, BNG risks becoming a box-ticking exercise rather than a transformative tool for nature recovery.
Strengthening BNG for the Future
And yet, none of these challenges are insurmountable. Rather than weakening BNG, the Government can, and should, take the straightforward steps to strengthen it.
Exemptions that allow developments to bypass BNG requirements should be tightened. The ‘de minimis’ and self-build exemptions should be reviewed. Likewise local planning authorities should be encouraged to go beyond the minimum gain percentage, so that BNG can truly help deliver the scale of restoration and nature-market growth needed to support long-term biodiversity recovery.
Strengthening enforcement is also crucial. Local authorities need the resources to effectively monitor and enforce BNG. An estimated £43 million per year is required to build their capacity, including hiring dedicated ecologists and providing access to the right digital tools.
To support this and help facilitate a BNG ‘user experience’ for all involved, the right digital infrastructure must be put in place. Significant on-site BNG gains should be registered in a publicly accessible system to ensure transparency and accountability. Likewise, non-compliance must be treated as an enforceable matter, with clear guidance provided to local authorities on how to take action when developers fail to meet their obligations.
The UK is facing a biodiversity crisis, and BNG is one of the most powerful tools available to ensure new development contributes to reversing nature’s decline. BNG enjoys significant industry support, and has spawned a whole ecosystem [pun intended] of associated businesses willing to invest in nature and do the right thing. By improving and reinforcing the policy rather than weakening it, the Government has an opportunity to truly show how economic growth and environmental recovery are not mutually exclusive, but can go hand-in-hand.
One year in, BNG is already making a difference. With the right improvements, it can drive even greater investment into nature; ensure real, tangible gains are delivered; and solidify industry leadership in sustainable development. The choice is clear: build on this success, or risk losing one of the most effective nature-positive growth policies we have.
Philip Box is a Senior Policy at Wildlife and Countryside Link
The opinions expressed in this blog are the authors' and not necessarily those of the wider Link membership.
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