Written Question·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·UIN 18731

Planning Permission: Biodiversity

Tabled: 14 July 2026

Answered: 21 July 2026

Question

Greg Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of planning applications her Department expects to remain subject to the biodiversity gain condition once the 0.2 hectare, temporary permission and proposed brownfield

Answer

Mary Creagh

Defra have published an impact assessment alongside regulations, implementing changes to biodiversity net gain for smaller developments. This shows around 80% of planning applications are already exempt from BNG under existing exemptions, such as for hous...

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