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Biodiversity: Property Development

Asked by Pippa HeylingsLiberal DemocratDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 2 February 2026UIN 108877

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department is assessing reports of widespread abuses of the de minimis exemption to Biodiversity Net Gain; and whether this exemption is still needed in light of the new exemptions for sites below 0.2 hectares.

Answered by Mary Creagh

A full consultation response and impact assessment to the Biodiversity Net Gain small, medium and brownfield development consultation will be published soon. This will set out whether any changes will be made to the de minimis exemption alongside the introduction of the new 0.2-hectare area exemption.

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