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Biodiversity

Asked by Sammy WilsonDemocratic Unionist PartyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 9 September 2025UIN 70371

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason his Department is consulting on proposals to change Biodiversity Net Gain requirements for small sites and medium sites one year after Biodiversity Net Gain became mandatory; and what evidence he has used to inform this approach.

Answered by Mary Creagh

The Government has been working closely with stakeholders to gather feedback and evidence on how BNG is being implemented. Early information suggests BNG implementation is largely working as intended, but there is emerging evidence that some smaller developments and specific types of development are finding BNG more challenging than anticipated. The proposals in the consultation seek feedback on potential changes to make it quicker, cheaper and easier for developers to deliver BNG obligations, while broadly maintaining environmental outcomes.

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