The government has confirmed that mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) will apply to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) in England from 2 November 2026. 

This is an important development for the infrastructure sector. It brings greater clarity to how biodiversity will need to be considered in major projects and gives developers more certainty on what will be expected as applications come forward. 

What has been confirmed? 

Under the new approach, NSIP applications made on or after 2 November 2026 will need to meet a 10% biodiversity gain objective. 

Developers will be able to achieve this through a combination of: 

• on-site habitat creation or enhancement 

• off-site biodiversity units 

• statutory biodiversity credits, used as a last resort 

The government has also confirmed that the policy will apply consistently across NSIP sectors, while using a bespoke BNG boundary focused on habitats negatively affected by the development and habitats used towards BNG, rather than automatically applying the requirement to the whole order limits. 

That matters because it gives developers a more proportionate and practical framework for delivery. 

What does this mean for developers? 

The direction of travel is now much clearer. 

For infrastructure developers, contractors, consultants and ecologists, the priority is no longer whether BNG will apply to NSIPs. It is how to prepare for it well. 

That means thinking early about: 

• where biodiversity impacts can be avoided or reduced 

• what can realistically be delivered on site 

• how habitat creation will be established, managed and evidenced over time 

• where off-site units may still be needed 

The government’s own assessment suggests that on-site delivery is often the most cost-effective route, particularly where biodiversity is considered early in design and scheme development. 

Why delivery quality matters 

BNG is not just a metric exercise. It depends on habitats being created successfully and performing over the long term. 

For developers, that puts more emphasis on solutions that are practical, proven and appropriate for the project setting. 

In other words, success is likely to depend on more than compliance alone. It will depend on choosing approaches that help reduce delivery risk, support reliable establishment and create habitats that genuinely thrive. 

How Wildflower Co. can help 

At Wildflower Co., we support projects with science-led wildflower solutions designed to make habitat delivery more practical and more reliable. 

With more than 20 years of experience in wildflower habitat creation, we help customers deliver biodiverse outcomes that are easier to specify, easier to establish and better suited to real project conditions. 

As NSIP developers prepare for implementation, now is the right time to review delivery strategies, assess on-site opportunities and build biodiversity into planning early. 

Commenting on the topic, our Managing Director, James Hewetson-Brown said, “The introduction of mandatory BNG for NSIPs is a landmark moment for biodiversity in England. These large-scale projects can deliver meaningful habitat creation and will reverse continuing ecological decline. But mandating BNG is just the starting point – long-term success will depend on how well habitats are created or enhanced and then managed. For the best results, I believe that stakeholder support will be essential throughout the full lifespan of these sites. 

With over 20 years of practical experience, we help bridge that gap – supporting all parties involved to establish and manage meadow habitats that deliver from day one through to the 30-year BNG requirement.” 

Need support with practical BNG delivery? 
Speak to our team about science-led wildflower solutions for infrastructure and development projects.