"The data is clear: BNG isn’t just beneficial for nature – it’s essential for gaining public support for new housing developments"
- Oliver Lewis - Joe’s Blooms
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) rules could be key to unlocking crucial NIMBY support for housebuilding as the Government pushes to deliver 1.5 million homes over the next five years, according to new polling from biodiversity tech start-up Joe’s Blooms.
A 14,000-person survey, which defined "NIMBYs" as individuals who oppose both the Government’s 1.5 million new homes target and the construction of new developments in their local area, has found that 75% of Brits believe that all new housing developments – large or small – should improve the natural environment by creating green spaces or habitat banks nearby.
Support for nature-friendly development is even stronger among Brits that oppose the Government’s target of building 1.5 million new homes over the next Parliament, with 84% of NIMBYs agreeing that all new developments should positively contribute to nature recovery.
This data comes as BNG marks its one-year anniversary for smaller developments (April 2).
When asked where nature improvements should be made as a result of new developments, 36% of Brits say green space should be created locally over being created in other parts of the country. This figure rises to 38% among those opposed to the Government’s housing target and reaches 40% among those against new homes being built near them. Support peaks at 43% among affluent rural residents, often known as the most organised NIMBY group.
Environmental concerns are a leading reason for opposition to development: 49% of NIMBYs cite loss of green space or environmental damage as key factors in resisting local housebuilding. These concerns rank second only to worries about increased pressure on local services (57%) and traffic congestion (54%).
The findings suggest that integrating local nature recovery into development plans could help address anti-development concerns and win over NIMBYs. BNG offers a clear solution by requiring developers to deliver at least a 10% biodiversity improvement in their project areas as part of planning permission.
“The data is clear: BNG isn’t just beneficial for nature – it’s essential for gaining public support for new housing developments," explained Oliver Lewis, CEO of Joe’s Blooms, "Nearly half of NIMBYs cite environmental concerns as a major reason for resistance. At the same time, support for nature recovery is growing among those most opposed to housebuilding.”
He added, “To achieve its ambitious housebuilding revolution, the Government must place BNG at the heart of its strategy. Following recent planning reform announcements, a clear roadmap is needed to show how BNG integrates into the planning framework, ensuring momentum isn’t lost. By embedding nature recovery into housing policy, development can drive biodiversity gains, win local backing, and deliver benefits for both people and the planet.”
