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Written question asked by Ellie Chowns (Green Party) on Wednesday, 11 December 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 December 2024. It was answered by Mary Creagh (Labour) on Friday, 20 December 2024 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.


Grasslands: Property Development

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of including priority grassland habitats in the list of Irreplaceable Habitats for biodiversity net gain.

Answer

Irreplaceable habitat includes some of England’s most ecologically valuable terrestrial and intertidal habitats.

The list of irreplaceable habitats in the biodiversity net gain regulations broadly mirrors the non-exhaustive list of examples of irreplaceable habitat in the National Planning Policy Framework. Defra will provide an update on irreplaceable habitat in due course.

In the meantime, we are gathering evidence to inform whether an updated list would offer welcome additional protection to these important habitats, whilst aligning with wider Government objectives for house building and growth.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
19561
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Biodiversity Nature conservation Property development Grasslands
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk