"Even small developments can have a huge impact on wildlife, and so if the legal requirement for Biodiversity Net Gain is lost from small sites, nature will be squeezed into smaller and smaller pockets"
- Joan Edwards OBE - The Wildlife Trusts
Business and environmental leaders have signed an open letter urging the government to keep Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements in place for all developments across England. The appeal comes in response to recent proposals that would remove BNG obligations from small and medium-sized developments.
Addressed to the Prime Minister, the letter is supported by organisations including Knight Frank, Schroders Wealth Management and Triodos Bank. It states: “Our collective voice sends a clear message: weakening BNG would come at a high cost, setting back this fast-developing economy and more widely threatening business confidence in nature policy.”
Introduced to ensure that developments leave nature in a better condition than before, BNG is seen by The Wildlife Trusts as vital to achieving positive outcomes for both the environment and economic growth. The organisation has warned that removing smaller developments from the policy would significantly undermine its impact.
“Over recent months, we have been clear that nature and development must work hand in hand to deliver growth," explained Joan Edwards OBE, director of policy and public affairs at The Wildlife Trusts. "Even small developments can have a huge impact on wildlife, and so if the legal requirement for Biodiversity Net Gain is lost from small sites, nature will be squeezed into smaller and smaller pockets.”
She added: “Instead, Biodiversity Net Gain offers a real chance to align businesses and the nature-loving British public around a common goal; more nature-friendly spaces to live, work and relax in. This policy could be the cornerstone of a thriving economy, but a nature-positive future can only become a reality with the right support and direction from Government.”
The letter calls for BNG to be applied consistently across developments of all sizes, arguing that small and medium projects play a major role in driving demand for biodiversity improvements. According to The Wildlife Trusts, nearly 80% of BNG credits issued in the past year have been linked to minor developments.
New research from Wildlife and Countryside Link and consultancy Eftec suggests that exempting developments of up to 1 hectare would remove the requirement to mitigate damage across 24,220 hectares, an area equal to around 35,000 football pitches. This would result in an estimated £250 million annual loss in funding for nature recovery.
Almost 100 active development sites are currently applying BNG principles, integrating habitat creation and green spaces with new homes and infrastructure. The Wildlife Trusts argue that these measures not only benefit wildlife but also improve climate resilience and provide recreational spaces for local communities.
Joan Edwards OBE continued, “We’re standing shoulder to shoulder with industry leaders, from finance providers and developers to landowners and conservationists, to urge the Government to bolster their support for BNG, putting the mechanisms in place to ensure that all developments, no matter their size, can deliver for businesses, communities and nature."
"Weakening BNG at this pivotal moment would be a step backwards for both growth and nature’s recovery, and a huge missed opportunity to drive this world-leading policy forwards.”
Following pressure from environmental groups, the Government has tabled amendments to Part 3 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, pledging to prioritise the avoidance of harm to wildlife in its plan to deliver 1.5 million homes.
In parallel, The Wildlife Trusts are encouraging the public to respond to the Government’s consultation on the proposed changes to BNG. The consultation remains open until 23:59 on Thursday, 24 July 2025.
An action tool for public responses is available at: wtru.st/bng-consultation.
