Planning: Nature Conservation
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on how the Government's planning reforms could support the creation of nature-rich places.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs covering a range of issues.
The Environment Act 2021 requires Ministers to have 'due regard' to the policy statement on environmental principles when making policy. This is to ensure that environmental considerations are at the heart of policymaking across government.
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that to protect and enhance biodiversity and geodiversity, local plans should identify, map and safeguard components of local wildlife rich habitats and wider ecological networks such as chalk streams. It is for local planning authorities to apply this policy when planning for new development.
Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted on a new NPPF. The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals relating to improving the natural environment.
We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
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