On 6 August 2026, the Government introduced significant changes to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements in England, including a new exemption for developments of 0.2 hectares or less. For many smaller developments, this is welcome news, potentially removing the need for detailed BNG assessments and the associated costs.

If you're planning works to a building, barn or structure, you may be asked to commission a bat survey as part of your planning application. However, not all bat surveys are equal. The experience of the surveyor, the level of inspection undertaken and the accuracy of their assessment can make a significant difference to your project.

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) has become an important consideration for development projects across England. Yet, one of the most common challenges we encounter is being asked to assess biodiversity requirements once a scheme has already been designed. By this stage, opportunities to retain valuable habitats may have been missed, landscape proposals may need revisiting, and unexpected costs can arise.