Morning, Monday, 13th January 2025
Online
This conference will discuss next steps for the implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in England.
It will be a timely opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to assess progress since BNG became mandatory for new planning permission applications in February 2024, and to discuss priorities for implementation going forward, including the extension to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) in November 2025.
It takes place alongside the Government’s pledge to meet targets set out in the Environment Act 2021 and expand nature-rich habitats, national forests, woodlands and coastal walks, with £400m allocated to fund peatland restoration and tree-planting across 2024-26 in the Budget, as well as the Government’s appointment of Ruth Davis OBE as the first Special Representative for Nature.
Focusing on BNG, we expect delegates to discuss the Planning Inspectorate’s forthcoming guidance on NSIPs. Discussion will draw on the National Audit Office’s May 2024 report, Implementing statutory biodiversity net gain, which claimed that Defra launched the policy before having all the elements in place to ensure its long-term success, and raised concerns over the ability of local authorities to manage compliance and enforcement.
Sessions will discuss strategies for practical implementation of BNG that can achieve positive outcomes for nature, including progress reporting, support for local authorities, ensuring developers have access to necessary resources, and options for securing sustainable, long-term financing for habitat management and maintenance. They will also discuss next steps for the allocation of funding announced in the Budget, which included £70m for infrastructure and housing development, £14m for the Nature Restoration Fund to offset the environmental impact of development, and £13m to expand Protected Sites Strategies.
The conference will also examine next steps for biodiversity units, habitat banks and land management schemes, priorities for natural resource quality improvements, and innovation to improve the delivery of BNG targets. Strategies for fostering collaboration among land managers, farmers and environmental stakeholders will also be discussed.
We are pleased to include keynote sessions with: Aemelia Humfrey, Policy Lead, Biodiversity Net Gain, Defra; Mike Burke, Programme Director, Sustainable Development, Natural England; Richard Stanyon, Senior Auditor, NAO; Dr Julia Baker, Head, Nature Services, Mott MacDonald; and Emma Toovey, Chief Ecology Officer, Environment Bank.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- BNG implementation: evaluating implementation progress so far and priorities going forward - exploring options for achieving sustainable, long-term financing for habitat management and maintenance
- NAO report: what is needed to ensure statutory BNG can be a success in the long-term - the future of progress reporting for BNG - supporting local authorities and developers
- preparing for the extension of BNG: ensuring mandatory requirements result in positive outcomes for nature - ensuring developers have access to necessary resources
- biodiversity units, habitat banks and land management schemes: assessing progress in implementing schemes that promote species and habitat preservation - strategies for fostering collaboration among land managers, farmers and environmental stakeholders
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. Those due to attend include parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons and officials from Defra; DESNZ; DfT; MHCLG; DBT; DfE; EA; Ofwat; GLD; Homes England; MOJ; IEPAW; Isle of Man Government; the Welsh Government; and The Scottish Government.
