UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – House of Lords supports amendments for hedgehog highways and bird-safe glass to make new buildings safer for wildlife amid planning bill concerns.
As reported by The Guardian, the House of Lords has moved to require hedgehog highways and bird-safe glass in all new buildings through amendments to the government’s planning bill.
Ministers may face difficulties, having long opposed imposing extra nature measures such as swift bricks on developers.
How could new lords’ amendments transform building design for wildlife?
The new Lords’ amendments would require nesting boxes, which campaigners argue are essential for the survival of threatened bird species.
A group of cross-bench peers has proposed amendments to ensure new buildings include wildlife-friendly features. These features would consist of hedgehog highways and nesting boxes.
Peers have written to ministers urging them to back the measures ahead of the amendments being debated in parliament. They believe the changes will help mitigate the environmental impact of new construction projects.
According to the peers, around 30 million birds die each year in the UK after hitting windows, a toll they say could be cut by up to 90% with bird-safe glass.
A suggested low-cost step is requiring hedgehog highways, tiny fence or wall openings that allow hedgehogs to roam between gardens to find food and mates.
How could the planning bill threaten wildlife welfare?
Officials on the government’s animal sentience committee have warned that the bill fails to consider the welfare of animals impacted by construction and building design.
According to the committee, the plans could put birds, hares, rabbits, voles, and hedgehogs at risk of being killed by machinery.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Prime Minister Keir Starmer have previously argued that safeguarding species like bats, newts, snails and spiders is hindering housebuilding projects and slowing economic growth.
What did nature groups warn about the planning bill?
Environmental groups have voiced alarm about the planning and infrastructure bill being debated in the House of Lords. One analysis warned that pushing ahead with the bill could endanger more than 5,000 nature sites.
Experts warned the bill could let developers bypass vital environmental rules, creating what they call a “cash to trash nature” scheme. The bill allows developers to pay into a nature fund instead of directly protecting wildlife during construction.
What did Alexandra Freeman say about preventing bird collisions?
Alexandra Freeman, the cross-bench peer, who put forward the bird-safe glass amendment, stated,
“Birds can’t see glass and think they can fly through it – but bird-safe glass, using ultra-violet coatings, and simple tweaks to building design, can reduce the chances of a collision by over 90%, for a very low cost.”
He added,
“The UK lags behind many other countries in legislation on this, oddly, despite being a leading manufacturer of bird-safe glass globally. I hope the government sees this as an easy win for householders, businesses and birds and backs the amendment.”
What did Libby Anderson say about protecting wild animals?
Libby Anderson, the secretary of the wild animal welfare committee, stated,
“The government’s own welfare watchdog has criticised the planning and infrastructure bill for overlooking the fact that planning policies and decisions will impact the lives and welfare of countless sentient wild animals.”
She added,
“We know that ministers are sincerely committed to promoting animal welfare. So we hope the government will amend the bill to bring in practical steps to protect animals during construction, and to ensure that wild animal welfare is systematically considered in all stages of the planning and development process.”
How did the government respond to wildlife concerns?
A government spokesperson stated,
“Our landmark planning and infrastructure bill will see a win-win for both nature and housebuilding. Existing laws already protect wildlife during construction, including birds and hedgehogs, and planning policy supports the use of wildlife-friendly features in and around new buildings including swift bricks.”
Key details about the Planning and Infrastructure Bill
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill includes faster approvals for major projects, with regular policy updates and fewer legal delays. It introduces strategic spatial planning through cross-boundary development strategies.
A new nature restoration levy will fund conservation via Natural England. It also reforms local planning decisions with delegated powers, mandatory training, and flexible planning fees.