The government has confirmed further exemptions to its Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) policy, launched in 2024. The following changes will come into effect on Thursday 6 August 2026:

introduction of the new 0.2 hectare exemption, which means that the smallest developments will not be required to do mandatory BNG (unless onsite priority habitat is negatively impacted)
introduction of a new temporary development exemption, for land which is to be reinstated within a period of 5 years or less (unless onsite priority habitat is negatively impacted)
modification of the biodiversity gain hierarchy for minor development, meaning that minor sites which aren’t exempt from BNG (e.g. over 0.2 hectares) can choose to go straight to offsite in the first instance
removal of the existing exemption for self and custom build development – however, these will likely fall into the 0.2 hectare exemption.

In a DEFRA blog post the Government stated “these changes will help to reduce the burdens on the smallest developers and local authorities. This will benefit the whole BNG system by focusing resources on larger development, which has the greatest impact, and therefore the potential to deliver the greatest benefits to nature”. Click here to read more.

With regards to transitional arrangements, the changes only apply to new applications for planning permission made from 6 August 2026. Planning permissions and applications for permission already submitted will continue to be subject to existing BNG legislation.

Unsure whether your project can benefit from these changes? Get in touch with us at mail@gcparch.co.uk and we can help you through the process.