Peers in the House of Lords have backed amendments to the government's planning bill that would require new buildings to include wildlife-friendly features such as hedgehog highways and bird-safe glass. The cross-bench group of peers argues these measures are essential for protecting wild animals, including hedgehogs and birds, which are often harmed by new developments.
The amendments include mandates for hedgehog highways—small openings in fences or walls that allow hedgehogs to move between gardens—and bird-safe glass designed to prevent collisions, which kill an estimated 30 million birds annually in the UK. The peers also propose requiring swift bricks, nesting boxes for the threatened swift species.
The government has faced criticism from nature groups and its own animal sentience committee for the planning and infrastructure bill, which they say could allow developers to bypass environmental protections. Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Prime Minister Keir Starmer have previously complained that wildlife protections impede housebuilding and economic growth.
Cross-bench peer Alexandra Freeman, who tabled the bird-safe glass amendment, said the UK lags behind other countries despite being a leading manufacturer of such glass. Libby Anderson of the wild animal welfare committee urged the government to adopt the amendments, noting that ministers claim to be committed to animal welfare.
A government spokesperson defended the bill, stating that existing laws already protect wildlife during construction and that planning policy supports wildlife-friendly features. The amendments will be debated in Parliament as the bill progresses.
