Written questions

Planning Permission: Biodiversity

Commons · Question 18731 · Tabled 14 Jul 2026 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · Official record

Answered 21 Jul 2026

Question

Asked by Greg Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of planning applications her Department expects to remain subject to the biodiversity gain condition once the 0.2 hectare, temporary permission and proposed brownfield

Answer

Answered by Mary Creagh, 21 Jul 2026

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...