Morning, Monday, 8th March 2027
Online
This conference will consider next steps for the biodiversity net gain framework in England. Areas for discussion include recent reform affecting smaller sites, proposals for brownfield residential development, early implementation of mandatory BNG for NSIPs, the balance between proportionate requirements and environmental integrity, off-site delivery and biodiversity markets, and approaches to long-term habitat management.
Reform, early experience & smaller sites
It will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to discuss the next phase of BNG, following the Government’s consultation response to Improving the implementation of biodiversity net gain for minor, medium and brownfield development, with changes including the new exemption for development on sites of 0.2 hectares or below taking effect from early August 2026 and the extension of mandatory BNG to NSIP applications from November. Drawing on early experience across planning and development, delegates will consider how the revised framework is operating in practice for smaller sites and infrastructure projects, and next steps for brownfield land.
Evidence, statutory metric & consenting
The planned agenda will examine evidence on the effectiveness and practical impact of BNG, including implications for development viability, project design, local authority capacity and measurable biodiversity outcomes. Attendees will consider priorities for improving the statutory metric and developing an integrated digital service, alongside approaches to strengthening clarity and consistency, and reducing costs and administrative burdens while supporting nature recovery and environmental protection. Delegates will also examine the application of the sector biodiversity gain statements to NSIPs and the use of outline, updated and phased biodiversity gain plans within the development-consent process.
Markets & long-term nature recovery
Sessions will discuss the practical capacity and market arrangements required to support measurable and sustainable biodiversity outcomes as the framework develops. Drawing on the experience of landowners, habitat-bank providers, developers and local authorities, delegates will consider the availability, pricing and geographical distribution of off-site units, and the alignment of delivery with Local Nature Recovery Strategies. Discussion will also examine approaches to securing, monitoring and enforcing habitat delivery over the statutory 30-year period, options for strengthening the resources and ecological expertise available to local planning authorities, responsible bodies and landowners, and the longer-term role of BNG within national nature recovery objectives.
Overview of areas for discussion
- exemptions, proportionality & smaller sites:
- 0.2-hectare and temporary-development exemptions - removal of the self-build and custom build exemption - implementation, early experience and impact
- further planned exemptions for biodiversity-led schemes and parks, playing fields and public gardens
- reducing burdens while protecting biodiversity outcomes - evidence on effectiveness and practical impact - certainty for developers, landowners, investors and planning authorities
- housing delivery, brownfield land & urban habitats:
- next steps following consultation on a targeted residential brownfield exemption - viability, regeneration, thresholds and project design
- identification and valuation of Open Mosaic Habitat and other urban habitats - proxy habitats, ecological integrity and constrained sites
- local planning, ecological assessment & Natural England advice:
- identification of mitigation and compensation requirements - scope for on-site habitat creation and enhancement - site constraints and development design
- implications of Natural England’s revised planning-advice approach from October 2026 - local planning authority capacity - handling of BNG in routine applications
- BNG for NSIPs:
- early implementation of mandatory 10% BNG from November 2026 - sector gain statements - baselines and the BNG boundary - DCOs, project design, land requirements, consenting and delivery costs
- outline, updated and phased biodiversity gain plans - application of the mitigation hierarchy - temporary impacts, irreplaceable habitats and existing compensation requirements
- statutory metric, evidence & digital delivery:
- metric and condition-assessment reform - usability, consistency, costs and treatment of modified habitats and watercourses - transitional arrangements for schemes prepared using an earlier metric version
- integrated digital service - data quality, transparency and support for developers, ecologists and planning authorities
- off-site delivery, biodiversity markets & recovery:
- revised hierarchy for minor development - on-site and off-site balance - unit supply, pricing and location - spatial risk and LNRS areas - factors affecting demand for off-site units - habitat-bank maturity and private investment
- statutory credits - public procurement of biodiversity units - value for money, environmental integrity, habitat selection and the relationship with private habitat-bank supply
- strategic nature recovery:
- alignment with Local Nature Recovery Strategies - ecological connectivity, local benefits and landscape-scale habitat creation
- relationship with wider nature markets - interaction with the Nature Restoration Fund and Environmental Delivery Plans - coordinating delivery across multiple developments - additionality and avoidance of double counting
- monitoring, capacity & future development:
- 30-year habitat-management commitments - monitoring, remediation, transparency and accountability - resources, ecological expertise, survey capacity and supply chains
- contribution to national nature-recovery outcomes - future development of BNG - Marine Net Gain
