Insights
Practical notes on what has changed in ecology and planning, written for the people who have to programme around it. No newsletter sign-up.
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What actually changed for biodiversity net gain on 6 August 2026
A new small-site exemption, a temporary-permission exemption, the end of the self-build carve-out, and a hierarchy that now binds only major development. The detail that decides whether it applies to you is the priority-habitat condition.
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Biodiversity net gain reaches nationally significant infrastructure on 2 November 2026
Mandatory BNG is expected to extend to English onshore NSIPs from 2 November 2026. The binding constraint is not the policy. It is that baseline habitat condition assessment needs the growing season, and the growing season is nearly over.
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How to programme a planning application around the survey calendar
The most expensive mistake in planning ecology is not a bad report. It is commissioning the right survey six weeks after its window shut. Here is how to work backwards.