Powered by Lexis+®
Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

England Biodiversity Net Gain consultation proposals: wider exemptions, Low Impact Metric changes, off-site flexibility, and OMH-focused brownfield guidance for minor and medium developments

Published on: 05 June 2025

Published by a LexisNexis Planning expert
Legal News
imgtext
Article summary

Key points in the proposals

The consultation seeks to fine‑tune the BNG framework to better suit minor, medium and brownfield schemes, ensuring biodiversity gains are both workable and effective across different development scales and contexts.

Proposed changes to exemptions

The government is weighing revisions to existing BNG exemptions to lessen burdens on low‑impact projects:

  • Single‑dwelling exemption: substituting the current self‑build/custom build carve‑out with a wider exemption for single homes
  • De minimis threshold: increasing the habitat impact exemption from 25 square metres to higher levels (e.g. 50, 100 or 200 square metres), enabling more minor schemes to proceed without BNG requirements
  • Major development exemption: considering exempting everything except major developments from BNG, effectively returning to the pre‑2 April 2024 position

The government is considering additional exemptions for:

  • parks, public gardens and playing fields
  • developments primarily aimed...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Popular documents

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Read More Right Arrow

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Read More Right Arrow

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Read More Right Arrow

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...

Read More Right Arrow