Biodiversity Net Gain for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects - Consultation Outcome
Summary
DEFRA has published the outcome of its consultation on implementing biodiversity net gain (BNG) for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs), receiving 10,403 responses including 10,143 from an RSPB campaign. The government confirmed it will implement a mandatory BNG framework for NSIPs from November 2026, requiring major infrastructure developments to leave biodiversity in a measurably better state than before development.
What changed
DEFRA has concluded its consultation on biodiversity net gain for nationally significant infrastructure projects and confirmed implementation will proceed. The mandatory BNG framework will require NSIP developers to achieve measurable biodiversity improvements as a condition of development consent, aligning with Environment Act 2021 targets.
NSIP developers, infrastructure operators, and construction firms undertaking major projects should prepare for new biodiversity assessment and offset obligations effective November 2026. Stakeholders should review the published impact assessment and summary of responses to understand implementation requirements as they are developed.
What to do next
- Monitor for DEFRA implementation guidance
- Review the BNG for NSIPs impact assessment
- Prepare for mandatory biodiversity net gain requirements from November 2026
Archived snapshot
Apr 15, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Consultation outcome
Biodiversity net gain for nationally significant infrastructure projects
From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Published 28 May 2025 Last updated 15 April 2026
— See all updates Get emails about this page
Applies to England
This consultation has concluded
Read the full outcome
Summary of responses and government response
HTML
Impact assessment
PDF, 829 KB, 47 pages
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
Detail of outcome
We received 10,403 responses to this consultation. 10,143 of these came from a campaign run by Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
Defra will implement a mandatory biodiversity net gain (BNG) framework for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) from November 2026.
Summary
We are seeking views on the implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs).
This consultation was held on another website.
This consultation ran from
**
28 May 2025
to
11:59pm on 24 July 2025
**
Consultation description
We want to know what you think about the implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs). The government is committed to achieving sustainable economic growth to improve the prosperity of our country. The development of high-quality nature-positive infrastructure will support this mission.
BNG is a way of creating and improving natural habitats. BNG makes sure development has a measurably positive impact (‘net gain’) on biodiversity, compared to what was there before development.
We propose introducing BNG for NSIPs from May 2026. This will provide a clear framework to ensure new major infrastructure developments leave biodiversity in a measurably better state than before development took place. This will contribute to our legally binding Environment Act 2021 targets for biodiversity, and provide wider benefits for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
We are also consulting separately on improving the implementation of BNG for minor, medium and brownfield developments.
Share this page
The following links open in a new tab
Updates to this page
Published 28 May 2025 Last updated 15 April 2026 show all updates
1.
15 April 2026
Added the summary of responses and government response, and an impact assessment.
2.
21 October 2025
We received a large number of responses to this consultation and are currently analysing the feedback. A full response will be published in due course.
3.
28 May 2025
First published.
Sign up for emails or print this page
Get emails about this page Print this page
Related changes
Get daily alerts for UK DEFRA
Daily digest delivered to your inbox.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Source
About this page
Every important government, regulator, and court update from around the world. One place. Real-time. Free. Our mission
Source document text, dates, docket IDs, and authority are extracted directly from DEFRA.
The summary, classification, recommended actions, deadlines, and penalty information are AI-generated from the original text and may contain errors. Always verify against the source document.
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when UK DEFRA publishes new changes.
Subscribed!
Optional. Filters your digest to exactly the updates that matter to you.