The Biodiversity Gain Site Register (Amendment) Regulations 2026

Jurisdiction: England

Commencement: 29th May 2026

Amends: The Biodiversity Gain Site Register Regulations 2024

 

Mini Summary

The Biodiversity Gain Site Register Regulations 2024 set out that Natural England must establish a register of biodiversity gain sites. This must be accessible to the public.

Land may be registered as a biodiversity gain site if:

  • work is carried out to conserve or enhance the habitat;
  • the work is carried out in England;
  • the enhancement will be maintained for a minimum of 30 years; and
  • the habitat is monitored to determine the effectiveness of the enhancement.

Each entry must be assigned a unique registration number.

 

Duties

 

Applications
Organisations may apply to be included on the register. Applications must contain the following information.

  • The applicant’s name.
  • Contact information including an address and email address.
  • The location of the development and its boundaries.
  • The date the enhancement work commences.
  • The type, size and condition of the habitats.
  • The projected type, size and condition of the habitats following the enhancement.
  • A declaration that a licence or consent has been (or will) be obtained.

Organisations may also apply to remove land from the register, or amend an entry in the register. Applications must include the registration number of the entry.

 

Amendment

From 29th May 2026, the scope of the register is expanded to allow land to be registered and biodiversity units to be allocated to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). Organisations may apply to be included in the register in order to be allowed to use any off-site biodiversity gains for their NSIPs.

This follows requirements for biodiversity net gain (BNG) for NSIPs being brought into force on 7th May 2026 by The Environment Act 2021 (Commencement No. 11) Regulations 2026.

Technical changes are made to the main Regulations to reflect the scope expansion
 

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