Nature Conservation: Planning
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework on protections for wildlife and habitats.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook
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, we consulted on a new NPPF. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals relating to wildlife and habitats. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
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