BPF Reaction to Biodiversity Net Gain Delay

Responding to the UK Government's decision to delay new Biodiversity Net Gain rules (due to take effect this year), BPF Assistant Director (Sustainability) Rob Wall commented:

'This announcement by Government has the potential to create yet more uncertainty at a time when industry is calling for greater clarity and consistency.

'The built environment sector has a huge contribution to make in protecting and restoring nature and promoting biodiversity. That is why the BPF and our members fully support the policy intention that underpins the proposed new regulations and why developers are already actively delivering biodiversity net gain across the country.

'Sadly it is not clear why the introduction of mandatory BNG has been delayed, but the Government now needs to set out more details on implementation as soon as possible. As part of this we would also call on the Government to confirm that adequate resourcing is available to ensure that local planning authorities are appropriately funded and skilled to implement the new regulations when they finally come into force.'