BNG start date pushed back to January 2024

The start date for developers to deliver at least 10% improved biodiversity associated with their sites has been pushed back to January next year.

Biodiversity net gain (BNG) obligations were due to become mandatory for planning permissions granted from November.

However, the government announced yesterday that long-awaited guidance and further legislation in the form of statutory instruments for the scheme will now only be published by the end of November.

See also: Defra BNG credit prices give open market a steer on values

This includes:

• The statutory metric – currently Biodiversity Metric 4.0 – on which the correct biodiversity gain is calculated. Advisers expect there may be minor adjustments to this
• A draft biodiversity gain plan template to help developers prepare planning applications 
• A habitat management and monitoring plan template, setting out how improved on-site and off-site habitats will be managed long term
• Further BNG guidance for landowners, developers and local planning authorities concerning their roles and responsibilities in delivering mandatory BNG.

The minimum 10% BNG from January 2024 applies to new housing, industrial or commercial development. Small sites have been given a little longer and must comply from April next year.

Implementation for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects is planned for 2025.

The government has yet to announce the tax regime for both the income and capital tax aspects of BNG and other environmental land uses.

It has committed more than £15m to help local planning authorities prepare, but with the planning system under heavy pressure, many authorities have not yet recruited and trained the staff they will need to administer BNG.