DEFRA is consulting on a potential exemption from biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements for certain residential developments on brownfield land in England. The consultation seeks views on whether an exemption should be introduced, what size thresholds should apply, and how brownfield residential development should be defined. The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 10 June 2026.
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.