Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 29
29
Not Addressed
On-site Biodiversity Net Gain implementation risks increasing housing costs, undermining Government affordability aims.
Conclusion
We are concerned there is a risk that implementing Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) on housing developments may inadvertently result in unreasonable fees for residents or more expensive housing, which runs counter to the Government’s aim of creating more affordable housing. Communities of all socio-economic backgrounds should be able to afford to live in developments benefitting from onsite BNG. (Conclusion, Paragraph 113)
Government Response Summary
The government's response discusses a consultation on NPPF climate change policies and ongoing work on reducing embodied carbon, which does not address the committee's concerns about Biodiversity Net Gain leading to increased housing costs or fees.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
83. On 16 December 2025 Government published a consultation on a new NPPF which included proposed changes to the climate change policies of the NPPF. This includes a proposed decision-making policy on climate change mitigation which sets out that development proposals should take advantage of opportunities to re-use existing structures and materials. 84. The commitment to conduct a consultation on the measurement of embodied carbon was made under the previous government. The Government is taking the time to properly review the available evidence and consider policy options. There are many elements of work going on across Government to reduce embodied carbon, such as the Low Carbon Products Consultation, Circular Economy Strategy, and the Steel Strategy. As these policies take effect and the industries in the supply construction chains decarbonise, the embodied carbon emissions of buildings will fall in turn. We continue to assess the evidence to consider the best way forward for measuring and reducing embodied carbon in new buildings.