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Biodiversity net gain: guidance for developers, land managers and authorities

Information you need for biodiversity net gain (BNG).

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published:
21 February 2023
Last updated:
27 August 2026
Show all updates

  1. We have updated the page title to make it clear what this collection provides and who for. We have restructured the collection. Guidance is now grouped by the type of audience it is intended for. Where guidance is relevant to more than one user group, it is listed in each relevant section. This is so that a specific audience can see all the relevant information in one place.

  2. Added link to information about biodiversity net gain (BNG) for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs). BNG will be mandatory for NSIPs from 2 November 2026.

  3. We've added links to 2 open consultations on BNG.

  4. Updated call to action box with a link to BNG planning guidance.

  5. Updated call to action box with links to understanding BNG, LPA guidance and steps for land managers/developers.

  6. Added new guidance on irreplaceable habitats to the 'developers' section.

  7. Added new link to planning practice guidance.

  8. 'Manage biodiversity gains' section has been added. This gives information on how to register a biodiversity gain site, record allocation of off-site biodiversity gains to a development, estimate the cost of statutory biodiversity credits, buy statutory biodiversity credits, and search the biodiversity gain sites register. Updated that BNG is mandatory from 12 February 2024.

  9. Added draft biodiversity net gain planning practice guidance.

  10. Updated ahead of biodiversity net gain (BNG) becoming mandatory. Clarified the introductory wording on BNG. Added new guidance on exemptions, making on-site and off-site gains, statutory credits, legal agreements, biodiversity gain plans, and habitat management and monitoring plans. Added new step by step guidance for land managers and developers and detailed guidance for local planning authorities. Updated guidance on understanding BNG, using the biodiversity metric, selling biodiversity units, and statutory credit prices.

  11. Updated that to record BNG, the service will be available when BNG becomes mandatory (removed the date of November 2023).

  12. Added 'Statutory biodiversity credit prices' to the guidance for developers.

  13. Added a section for developer guidance and 'What you can count towards a development’s biodiversity net gain (BNG)'.

  14. First published.

What BNG is and who it affects

Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is a way of creating and improving natural habitats. It makes sure development has a measurably positive impact (‘net gain’) on biodiversity.  

You will need to understand the requirements of BNG if you are a:  

  • developer of sites that need planning permission 

  • developer of nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) from 2 November 2026  

  • local planning authority (LPA) 

  • land manager wanting to create and sell biodiversity units in the off-site BNG market 

In England, BNG is mandatory under:  

Developers must deliver a BNG of 10%. This means a development will result in more or better quality natural habitat than there was before development.

The guidance on this page is organised to help you find the information most relevant to you. Some guidance appears multiple times on the page where it is relevant to different audiences.

Developers of sites that need planning permission

Read this guidance if you are a developer of small (‘minor’) and major developments that need planning permission.

Local planning authorities

LPAs should use this guidance to make sure developers and land managers meet their BNG requirements.

Planning practice guidance

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s detailed guidance for developers, land managers and local planning authorities on how to apply the national planning policy in practice.

Land managers

Read this guidance if you are a land manager involved in BNG.

Developers of nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs)

This guidance applies to NSIP developers who apply for a development consent order (DCO) from 2 November 2026. 

You must follow the biodiversity gain statement relevant to your project to receive development consent. The guidance supports the statements.

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