Written question asked by Andrew Mitchell (Conservative) on Tuesday, 1 April 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 April 2025. It was answered by Matthew Pennycook (Labour) on Monday, 7 April 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Planning: Biodiversity and Nature Conservation

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to take steps to ensure that planning guidance issued by her Department includes measures on preserving (a) biodiversity and (b) habitats for pollinators.

Answer: The National Planning Policy framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should conserve and enhance the natural environment by minimising impacts on, and providing net gains for, biodiversity, including by establishing coherent ecological networks that are more resilient to current and future pressures and incorporating features which support priority or threatened species. Planning Practice Guidance on the Natural Environment provides further detail on how users of the planning system can implement these policies.

Secondary information