The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has published a policy paper setting out the biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements for water resources nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs).
The biodiversity gain statement sets out how water resources NSIPs must calculate, deliver and report on BNG, which will become mandatory for NSIPs from 2 November 2026.
From that date, the biodiversity gain statement will have the same effect as if it were included in the National Policy Statement for Water Resources Infrastructure.
The purpose of the biodiversity gain statement is to set out the biodiversity gain objective and the process through which biodiversity gains must be calculated, demonstrated, and verified. The statement details how applicants for Development Consent Orders (DCOs) of water resources NSIPs can achieve the biodiversity gain objective. It provides the basis for the BNG aspect of the examination by the Examining Authority and decisions by the Secretary of State on applications for DCOs.
The biodiversity gain objective only applies to NSIPs, or components of NSIPs, in England. Where NSIP project boundaries include areas outside England, the BNG requirement only applies to the components of the project in England.
Click here to download the policy paper
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