Written question asked by Greg Hands (Conservative) on Tuesday, 18 July 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 July 2006. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 November 2006 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Housing (Pet Covenants)

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what assessment the Government have made of (a) the merits and (b) the enforceability of covenants on new homes banning cats and dogs as pets in special protection areas;

Answer: Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are classified under the EU Birds Directive and receive statutory protection under the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994. Development must be in line with the Regulations.The Government are working with stakeholders to consider mechanisms that will allow development to take place without having an adverse impact on SPAs. The Examination-in-Public process for the South East Plan provides an opportunity for consideration of how specific impacts on the SPA from new housing (including from recreational dog walking and predation of bird species by domestic cats) can be addressed.

Secondary information