BNG Rules Update 2026
What are the BNG rules changes in 2026?
Planning applications might not be the first thing you relate to schools, but they are strongly linked, particularly with residential development where families with children might be moving into a new area. As part of the planning process developers and applicants are often required to make financial contributions towards various services, infrastructure and facilities.
These contributions are calculated depending on the scale and type of development and need to be justified by the Council as being appropriate for the proposal. The amounts will vary and will be tailored to the project. The final sums will be secured by a signed Legal Agreement (usually referred to as a Section 106 Agreement or S106) and these contributions ensure that local improvements can be delivered to support the proposal. Examples of contributions can include money towards the following, but these would not apply to all applications:
If you see improvement projects happening in your local area it is possible that these might have been funded by a developer as part of a planning consent. Councils are required to consider applications in the context of contributions, and these can help to overcome any elements of a scheme which might not quite deliver all that is required to make it acceptable. The benefits that these contributions deliver are significant and help to bring improvements to many different aspects of your community. Developers have to include S106 contributions in their financial planning as it can form a large part of their overall project budget.
The S106 process ensures that new development (including commercial projects) will deliver the necessary infrastructure improvements to ensure that the additional demands on services are provided.
Warner Planning supports clients by proactively monitoring obligations contained within S106 Agreements, including pre-commencement requirements, and seeking their timely discharge as development progresses.
So, while your child’s school is having a deep clean over the holidays ready for a new school term in September you might see new classrooms, new teachers joining and new facilities and these might have been funded by developer contributions.
Everyday is a school day!
Having a consultant involved in your project, is a great way to reduce the risk of errors and it can drastically speed up the timeline for achieving planning permission.
If you think you need support with your project, we’d be happy to help.
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What are the BNG rules changes in 2026?
When people think about planning applications, they often think of drawings, policies and consultations. However, planning can also play a crucial role in uncovering and protecting Britain’s hidden heritage.
The preparation of the new “Bedford Borough Local Plan 2050” is now underway. The new plan will establish a long-term vision for the Borough, identifying where new homes, employment opportunities, infrastructure and green spaces will be delivered over the next 25 years.