Changes to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) rules coming into force on 6^th August 2026 will remove a significant planning hurdle for many agricultural developments, according to H&H Land & Estates.

The Government has confirmed a series of reforms designed to simplify the Biodiversity Net Gain process, with many smaller developments no longer required to undertake mandatory BNG assessments.

 The most significant change for the farming sector is the introduction of a 0.2-hectare exemption, meaning many smaller agricultural developments, including buildings such as livestock sheds and slurry lagoons, will no longer require mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain, provided they do not impact priority habitats. These changes apply to new planning applications submitted from 6^th August 2026.

The changes are expected to reduce both the cost and complexity of obtaining planning permission by removing the need for ecological surveys and Biodiversity Net Gain assessments on many smaller schemes.

 Andrew Boles, Environment & Conservation Advisor at H&H Land & Estates, said, "For many farmers this is a welcome and sensible change. Biodiversity Net Gain has undoubtedly delivered environmental benefits, but it has also added considerable cost, complexity and delay to relatively straightforward agricultural developments.

 "Many farm businesses have previously had to commission ecological surveys and provide biodiversity mitigation for projects that are essential to the day-to-day running of the farm. In some cases, this has meant taking productive land out of agricultural use and committing to management obligations that can last for 30 years.

 "These new exemptions remove one of the barriers within the planning system for many smaller developments, helping to reduce both costs and timescales while allowing businesses to invest with greater confidence. However, it is important for landowners not to assume all developments will be exempt."

 Projects affecting priority habitats or developments exceeding 0.2 hectares will still be subject to Biodiversity Net Gain requirements, meaning larger agricultural schemes will continue to require ecological input as part of the planning process.

 Alongside the new size threshold, the Government is also introducing a temporary development exemption for projects where land will be fully reinstated within five years, unless priority habitat is affected. Changes are also being made to the biodiversity gain hierarchy for minor developments, allowing qualifying schemes to move directly to off-site biodiversity provision where appropriate.

At the same time, the previous exemption for self-build and custom-build developments will be removed.

 Andrew added, "Although these changes represent a significant step forward for many farming businesses, every planning application should still be considered on its own merits. Landowners should continue to seek professional advice at an early stage to establish whether Biodiversity Net Gain applies and to identify the most practical and cost-effective route through the planning process."

 The Government has also confirmed that further reforms to Biodiversity Net Gain will follow. These include proposed exemptions for developments whose primary purpose is to conserve or enhance biodiversity, targeted exemptions for improvements to parks, playing fields and public gardens, together with changes to the statutory biodiversity metric.

 H&H Land & Estates' environmental team advises landowners, farmers and rural businesses on Biodiversity Net Gain, environmental schemes, habitat creation, natural capital opportunities and planning matters across the North of England.