February 2026
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This conference examined next steps for biodiversity, conservation and restoration in England, with a focus on implications of developments in planning, regulation and land use policy for nature recovery in both the near and longer-term, amid reports that England is not on track to meet 2030 targets.
It was an opportunity to examine the UK National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and recently published Environmental Improvement Plan, as well as the forthcoming Land Use Framework and 30by30 Delivery Strategy - taking into consideration the Office for Environmental Protection’s recent report highlighting a lack of progress in delivering the EIP and implications for the future direction of policy and approaches to delivery.
Planning reform, biodiversity net gain & nutrient neutrality
The discussion brought stakeholders and policymakers together to consider immediate priorities arising from reform in the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 and Regulation Action Plan. Delegates assessed changes to environmental assessment and permitting - including emerging approaches to exemptions and regulator discretion - to consider the way forward for achieving consistency, transparency and effective safeguarding of priority habitats.
Recommendations set out by the National Audit Office for improving the performance of environmental regulators were assessed, looking at data, technology and skills required to support robust and effective decision-making to advance environmental goals.
Considering proposed reforms to BNG requirements for residential development, as set out in revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework - including exemptions for small sites and brownfield land, and streamlining processes for medium-sized sites - delegates assessed the potential impact on stakeholder confidence and private investment in BNG and nature markets, workforce and green skills, and housing delivery.
Practical implications of nutrient neutrality were discussed, as the Government prepares new mechanisms intended to address delays to schemes in affected catchments. We expected this to include matters that those involved in delivery and regulation have flagged as requiring early clarity, such as the proposed structure and pricing of nutrient mitigation credits, catchment eligibility and trading boundaries, and anticipated timetables for bringing new statutory and strategic schemes into operation.
Integrating biodiversity into land use & agriculture
Attendees examined practical considerations for how biodiversity objectives can be integrated into day‑to‑day land use and agricultural decision‑making, including through Environmental Land Management schemes, Local Nature Recovery Strategies, Landscape Recovery projects, and other location-based delivery plans.
How farmers and landowners can plan with confidence amid uncertainty around payment levels, scheme design, resourcing and long‑term management requirements was discussed, alongside strategies for resolving competing pressures for food production, housing and nature across different landscapes. Practical implications of revisions to ELMs and SFI for those looking to deliver or host habitat creation were also considered.
Further discussion was expected on how the forthcoming Land Use Framework and statutory LNRSs can be coordinated with targets set out in the EIP in ways that support clear and workable guidance for development, restoration and multifunctional land use, and how these approaches can best be aligned with local capacity and data availability as stakeholders plan for 2026-2030. Delegates considered priorities for monitoring and enforcement of targets, including next steps for boosting ecological and planning skills, and requirements for robust data frameworks and metrics.
Finance, markets, governance for biodiversity recovery & the marine environment
Funding, investment and long‑term governance for biodiversity recovery on land and at sea were discussed, including the role of Natural England and other public bodies in giving clear signals to the market. Delegates examined options for mobilising public and private finance, looking at environmental markets and emerging green finance standards, and the factors influencing investor confidence as new mechanisms - such as nature credits - begin to scale.
We expected priorities for the marine environment to be considered, including implementation of the UK Marine Strategy and expansion of protected areas, and implications of these developments for coastal communities, offshore activity and port development.
All delegates were able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those who attended include parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons and officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, NI; Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; Department for Transport; Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government; Department for Education; Department for Business and Trade; HM Treasury; Ministry of Defence; Ministry of Justice; Defence Infrastructure Organisation; Environment Agency; Office for Environmental Protection; Office of Rail and Road; Ofwat; Climate Change Committee; National Audit Office; Office for National Statistics; UK Health Security Agency; National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority; Planning Inspectorate; Homes England; National Wealth Fund; Government Legal Department; Northern Ireland Environment Agency; Isle of Man Government; and the Welsh Government.
