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

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether developments in the Government's proposed investment zones will be required to (a) ensure no net loss for nature, (b) follow International Finance Corporation's Performance Standard 6 mitigation hierarchy; and if he will make a statement.

Investment Zones are currently at an early stage of development and local authorities have been asked to express interest only in taking part at this stage.

The published expression of interest guidance has been clear that applications which refuse to commit, in principle, to mitigate environmental impacts on or off site will not proceed.

DLUHC officials are now assessing those proposals received and further information on the approval of Investment Zones will be forthcoming in due course.