Housing: Biodiversity

(asked on 20th January 2023) - View Source

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing (a) swift blocks and (b) other biodiversity measures for new homes as part of his proposals for reform of the planning system.


Answered by
Lucy Frazer Portrait
Lucy Frazer
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
This question was answered on 30th January 2023

The National Planning Policy Framework currently sets out that planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment, by minimising impact on biodiversity and providing biodiversity net gains. The Environment Act 2021 introduced new requirements for most developments to provide a biodiversity net gain compared to the sites pre-development state.

Planning conditions or obligations can, in appropriate circumstances, be used to require that a planning permission provides for works that will measurably increase biodiversity. Local authorities can prioritise specific species such as swifts.

We are currently consulting on going further in our consultation on the future of national planning policy. Specifically we are seeking views on how we can strengthen policy and associated national design guidance to promote small-scale changes that can enhance biodiversity and support wildlife recovery. We would welcome responses to this consultation.

Reticulating Splines