The construction sector is warning ministers not to gut Biodiversity Net Gain in the name of speed.
In an open letter to government more than 140 experts and businesses say stripping BNG from small developments would damage nature markets investor confidence and long-term value.
The letter coordinated by the Green Construction Board and the UK Green Building Council is backed by around 120 organisations spanning developers contractors engineers planners financiers land managers and academics.
High profile supporters include Sir John Lawton and Sir Partha Dasgupta alongside groups such as the Aldersgate Group Wates Knepp Estate and Triodos Bank.
Their message is blunt. Nature is not the problem holding back housing. Poor policy design is.
Signatories point to findings from the Environmental Audit Committee showing that well-designed environmental rules can support delivery improve quality of life and strengthen asset values rather than slow growth.
They argue Biodiversity Net Gain is already doing that job and should not be weakened through blanket exemptions.
The government is considering exempting all sites under one hectare from BNG. The sector says that threshold is far too high and risks removing nature protections from tens of thousands of developments every year including many urban schemes where green space is already scarce.
Instead the letter proposes a more proportionate approach. A 0.1 hectare exemption would simplify requirements for the very smallest schemes – while keeping BNG in place for the majority of developments, where it can still deliver meaningful outcomes for communities and nature.
The warning is that a blanket exemption would not just reduce biodiversity gains.
It would also penalise companies that have already invested in delivery and undermine confidence in emerging nature markets designed to unlock private finance for habitat restoration.
Dr Martina Girvan said: “Small sites are often where the loss of green space is felt most acutely particularly in urban areas. Even modest areas of green infrastructure can deliver significant social and environmental benefits.”
David Pinder added: “Proportionate and practical solutions exist. A blanket exemption would be a backwards step for nature markets and long-term value.”
The sector is calling for certainty not rollback. The message to ministers is clear. Reform BNG if needed but do not rip it out where it matters most.
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