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Nature Conservation: Property Development

Asked by Claire HazelgroveLabourDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 6 July 2026UIN 14217

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support communities in delivering nature recovery, improving biodiversity and delivering positive environmental outcomes alongside new development.

Answered by Mary Creagh

The Government is committed to delivering positive environmental outcomes alongside the housing and infrastructure our communities urgently need. Local Nature Recovery Strategies are being prepared across England, to enable communities to set priorities for biodiversity and environmental improvement and propose where action is most needed. Mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain requires developments to achieve a 10% improvement in biodiversity. The Nature Restoration Fund will accelerate housing and infrastructure alongside delivering improved environmental outcomes for habitats and species. The Government is also working with local stakeholders to deliver at least 20 Protected Site Strategies by 2030 to tackle pollution and habitat degradation.

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