The Environmental Industries Commission (EIC) today welcomed the government’s confirmation in a statement to Parliament by the Minister for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook MP, that smaller developments of up to 0.2 hectares will be exempt from Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements. 

The move is designed to reduce regulatory burdens on small-scale projects, supporting deliverability while ensuring that larger developments continue to make meaningful contributions to biodiversity and nature markets. 

Kate Jennings, Chief Executive of the ACE Group - which comprises EIC and the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) - said: “This exemption is a welcome and practical step. It helps smaller developers navigate the planning system without compromising the Government’s broader environmental ambitions.

“We are pleased to see that industry concerns have been heard, and this demonstrates that careful, proportionate approaches can support both development and biodiversity objectives.”