ClosedConsultation consultationoutcome

Biodiversity net gain for nationally significant infrastructure projects

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published
28 May 2025
Last updated
2115 OctoberApril 20252026 — See all updates

Applies to England

We This areconsultation analysinghas yourconcluded

Read feedbackthe full outcome

Visit

Summary thisof pageresponses againand soongovernment toresponse

HTML

Impact downloadassessment

PDF, the829 outcomeKB, to47 thispages

This publicfile feedback.may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Detail of feedback receivedoutcome

We received a10,403 largeresponses numberto this consultation. 10,143 of responsesthese tocame thisfrom consultationa andcampaign arerun currentlyby analysingRoyal Society for the feedback.Protection Aof fullBirds response(RSPB).

Defra will beimplement publisheda inmandatory duebiodiversity course.net gain (BNG) framework for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) from November 2026.

Original consultation

Summary

We are seeking views on the implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs).

This consultation was held on another website.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

We want to know what you think about the implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs). The government is committed to achieving sustainable economic growth to improve the prosperity of our country. The development of high-quality nature-positive infrastructure will support this mission.

BNG is a way of creating and improving natural habitats. BNG makes sure development has a measurably positive impact (‘net gain’) on biodiversity, compared to what was there before development.

We propose introducing BNG for NSIPs from May 2026. This will provide a clear framework to ensure new major infrastructure developments leave biodiversity in a measurably better state than before development took place. This will contribute to our legally binding Environment Act 2021 targets for biodiversity, and provide wider benefits for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

We are also consulting separately on improving the implementation of BNG for minor, medium and brownfield developments.

Updates to this page

Published 28 May 2025
Last updated 2115 OctoberApril 20252026 + show all updates

  1. Added the summary of responses and government response, and an impact assessment.

  2. We received a large number of responses to this consultation and are currently analysing the feedback. A full response will be published in due course.

  3. First published.

Sign up for emails or print this page