Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on ensuring that the plan for growth does not reduce protections for (a) wildlife and (b) nature.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

When it comes to development and the environment, we know we can do better than the status quo, which too often sees both sustainable housebuilding and nature recovery stall. Instead of environmental protections being seen as a barrier to growth, we want to unlock a win-win for the economy and for nature.

The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by recognising the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside, and the wider benefits from natural capital and ecosystem services. Development is restricted in areas which are designated for their environmental value.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will include the Land Use Framework to support (a) nature recovery and (b) net zero objectives.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is currently consulting on the Land Use Framework. It will not be implemented through the forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of increasing the role of local nature recovery strategies in local planning decisions.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Local Nature Recovery Strategies are being prepared across England to set out priorities for nature recovery, map important habitats and identify opportunities for improvements.

The government recently updated its Planning Practice Guidance to explain the role of Local Nature Recovery Strategies in the planning system and made clear as part of that update that these strategies will form an evidence base which may be a material consideration when making planning decisions.

It is for individual decision-makers to determine what is a relevant material consideration in each case.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to bind ring-fenced planning department budgets within local authorities.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The ringfencing, or retention, of planning fee income within local authority planning services will be considered as part of the government’s longer-term plans for planning fees.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure new developments include (a) swift boxes and (b) other provisions for environmental adaptations.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 28783 on 12 February 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure new developments are built to standards which reflect (a) nature and (b) climate targets.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Future Homes and Buildings Standards, to be introduced later this year, will set our new homes and buildings on a path that moves away from relying on volatile fossil fuels and ensures they are fit for a net zero future. In addition, Part O of the Building Regulations requires new buildings to mitigate the risk of overheating.

Biodiversity Net Gain requires development to deliver environmental improvements locally and nationally. Our new Nature Restoration Fund will provide the opportunity for development to fund nature recovery, creating a win-win outcome for both the economy and nature. In addition, the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published on 12 December 2024 made some immediate changes to support climate change mitigation and adaptation. The NPPF also makes clear that the need to mitigate and adapt to climate change should be considered in preparing and assessing planning applications.

Plastic pollution

Recognition of Milngavie in Bloom

Rail fare increase

Impact Assessments of changes to Official Development Assistance

Changes to Overseas Development Assistance

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