Member

When a planning application is being discussed these days, it is not a simple matter of thinking just about the construction; it is also a very important aspect of planning to consider the consequences of the construction phase and the future of the environment in which houses or commercial buildings are built. As part of that, as we heard from the noble Lord, Lord Blencathra, councillors have an important duty and responsibility to consider biodiversity net gain, landscaping and the future of habitats, as well as—though I am not quite sure how often this occurs—the importance of ecological surveying. All those things are important.