Biodiversity
2026-07-13 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · 18773 · Official question
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether it remains the Government's position that biodiversity net gain applies to most development.
Answer
Defra have published an impact assessment alongside regulations, implementing changes to biodiversity net gain for smaller developments. This shows around 80% of planning applications are already exempt from BNG under existing exemptions, such as for hous...