On 12 February 2024 Biodiversity Net Gain became mandatory.
BNG (Biodiversity Net Gain) is an approach to development which means that habitats for wildlife must be left in a measurably better state than they were in before the development. This means that applicable building projects in England will need to restore any biodiversity lost during the building phase and deliver a 10% minimum boost to the area’s biodiversity.
NSIPs (Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects)are large-scale developments in England and Wales—such as power stations, major roads, and railways—deemed critical to the national interest. Governed by the Planning Act 2008, these projects bypass local planning authorities, requiring a Development Consent Order (DCO) examined by the Planning Inspectorate and decided by the Secretary of State. The five main areas are Energy, Transport, Water, Waste Water, and Waste.
The government is now reviewing and reforming how BNG operates in the planning system. Government confirmed mandatory biodiversity net gain for NSIPs from May 2026.
So any destruction to ecology / Wildlife will be offset with the new mandatory 10% biodiversity net gain coming into legislation May2026. This gives a clear signal from the government that they will be forcibly pushing these NSIP projects through.
For example this will effect Lionlink. This new policy is not in place for SeaLink. So this has a chance to challeng.