Biodiversity Net Gain becomes mandatory

Mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain provisions have now come into force for developers.

In what Defra heralded as “a world first”, builders in England have since 12 February been required to deliver 10% Biodiversity Net Gain when building new housing, industrial or commercial developments.

Introduced through the Environment Act, Biodiversity Net Gain is designed to help deliver the government’s commitment to halt species decline by 2030.

Biodiversity Net Gain requires development to avoid harm to nature, but where that is unavoidable, developers must create new habitats or enhance existing ones either within the site itself or by investing in nature sites elsewhere. Where this is not possible, developers can purchase off-site biodiversity units from landowners via a private market.

Biodiversity Net Gain for small sites (between one and nine dwellings) will be applicable from April 2024, and implementation for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects is planned for late 2025.