Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they take, and intend to take, to encourage private housebuilders to preserve existing trees and plants in English cities during construction.
National planning policy makes clear that development should minimise its impacts on, and seek net gains for, biodiversity, including trees. Local authorities should impose Tree Preservation Orders on trees of special value, and use planning conditions to ensure that valued trees are not harmed by construction. The Environment Bill will give communities a greater say in the retention of local trees; empower local authorities to make net gain for biodiversity mandatory in certain circumstances; and give new impetus to the provision of trees, green space and other green infrastructure in our cities.