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Written question asked by Andrew Snowden (Conservative) on Tuesday, 24 June 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 June 2025. It was answered by Matthew Pennycook (Labour) on Wednesday, 2 July 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Housing: Bricks

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to encourage the use of swift bricks in newbuild homes in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) in Lancashire.

Answer

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by minimising impacts on and providing net gains for biodiversity, including by incorporating features which support priority or threatened species such as swifts, bats and hedgehogs.

As part of our work to develop a set of national policies for decision making, the government has committed to consulting on changes which would require swift bricks to be incorporated into new buildings unless there are compelling reasons which preclude their use, or which would make them ineffective.

As an interim step ahead of the consultation, my Department published updated Planning Practice Guidance setting out how swift bricks are expected to be used in new development. This outlines that developments should include swift bricks where possible, with the general aim across a development of a minimum of one nest box per unit.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
62367
Session
2024-26
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Subjects
Conservation Construction Housing Lancashire Bricks Swifts
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk