Hold Developers More Accountable in New Builds to Help Protect Nature

196
signatures
openDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairsby Oliver HarflettOpened 27 March 2026

Background

We believe major property developments must protect existing trees, hedgerows, ponds, meadows, and other natural features, and developers who break planning rules should be held more accountable.

Additional details

The Government should: 1. Require early ecological surveys that prioritise keeping habitats and natural features in place. 2. Mandate sustainable drainage, wildlife features, and on-site green measures, with off-site credits only if demonstrably unavoidable. 3. Create a national register of serious planning breaches, with extra scrutiny for repeat offenders. We believe these reforms would reduce flood risk, save costs, reward responsible developers, and protect communities.

Where it’s popular

Constituencies with the most signatures on this petition.

Source: UK Government & Parliament Petitions service. Petition ID: 762455.