A Garden bumblebee feeding on a purple flower.
30/10/2026
Following the UK Government’s Autumn Budget (28 October 2026), the Bumblebee Conservation Trust is deeply concerned by announced changes to Biodiversity Net Gain. The changes could mean residential brownfield developments of up to 1.5 hectares in England will no longer have to replace and enhance nature lost from these sites. This could adversely impact bumblebees in our communities.
Brownfield sites are areas that have been previously developed, but this does not mean they are not valuable for nature. Many brownfield sites are abundant in wildlife and provide important flower-rich areas for bumblebees. This includes some areas that are home to threatened species such as the Shrill carder bee.
But the impact also goes beyond individual sites. To survive and thrive, bumblebees and other pollinators need connected habitats across the landscape. Losing many small but valuable habitats can risk breaking these connections, preventing bumblebees from moving through our towns and cities to find the food they need.
These changes will also mean less investment going into restoring and creating nature. This is even more significant at this time of nature crisis, when the Government needs to deliver its legally binding targets to halt and reverse the decline of wildlife.
Although we recognise there is a call to build more homes, nature and development do not have to be in conflict. And what’s good for nature is not just good for bumblebees – it’s good for people too. Access to nature supports our health and wellbeing, and helps create healthier, thriving communities.
We urge the Government to reconsider this change, and ensure that new development continues to contribute to restoring and connecting nature, rather than adding to its decline.