Biodiversity Net Gain: What’s Changing Before 31 July?

July 15, 2026

Government updates this month are reshaping how Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) will work for both small sites and major infrastructure projects. With the next round of NPPF revisions due, here’s what planning teams need to know.

• Small sites get new flexibility A general exemption is being introduced for sites with a red‑line boundary of 0.2ha or less, reducing the regulatory burden on minor and brownfield schemes. Temporary developments up to five years will also be exempt.

• Offsite units now equal to onsite gains For minor development, the biodiversity gain hierarchy is being relaxed — offsite units will carry the same weight as onsite habitat creation. This is aimed at simplifying delivery and speeding up approvals.

• NSIPs face earlier biodiversity planning BNG will apply to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects from 2 November 2026, with a more front‑loaded process requiring biodiversity impacts to be addressed at pre‑application stage. Expect increased competition for offsite units.

• Direction of travel: simplification The government isn’t strengthening or weakening BNG — it’s smoothing early implementation issues and removing barriers for SMEs and brownfield developers.

Planning teams should prepare for these changes ahead of the 31 July deadline, especially where small‑site exemptions may accelerate summer submissions.

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