Most people in Britain support an upcoming requirement for developers to invest in improving local habitats, a survey has revealed.
Biodiversity tech start-up Joe’s Blooms found that two in three people are in favour of the new biodiversity net gain (BNG) policy, which will mean developers have to invest in measures to increase an area’s biodiversity by 10%.
Half of respondents also said they would be more likely to support new local developments if builders were legally required to invest in improving the natural environment. Just one in 10 said they would be less likely.
The Government had scheduled for BNG to become part of the planning system in November 2023, but pushed back its introduction to January this year.
When asked this month when the rules would be in force, a spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: ‘Subject to parliamentary procedure, mandatory BNG will come into force in the coming weeks.’
The spokesperson was unable to say whether BNG requirements would be introduced this month as planned.
