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Written question asked by Anna Gelderd (Labour) on Friday, 21 February 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 25 February 2025. It was answered by Mary Creagh (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 March 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.


Swifts: Conservation

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the potential merits of mandating swift bricks in new property developments.

Answer

Natural England has identified that the lack of nest sites is one of the pressures on species including the swift. Therefore, provision of swift bricks may aid recovery alongside other actions, such as to increase food resources. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published a revised National Planning Policy Framework in December. This expects developments to provide net gains for biodiversity, including through incorporating features which support species like swifts, such as swift bricks.

Defra policy officials are continuing to work with MHCLG colleagues to consider what action may be appropriate to drive up rates of swift brick installation in new build properties.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
32775
Session
2024-26
Related items
Swifts: Conservation
Friday, 17 October 2025
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Conservation Buildings Bricks Swifts
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk