Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 24
24
Not Addressed
Strict application of mitigation hierarchy for housing developments remains essential without scientific justification.
Recommendation
The relaxation of the mitigation hierarchy (MH) in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill has been a significant point of contention. The MH aims to ensure that harm to nature is first avoided, with destruction and compensation used only as a last resort. We believe that the strict application of the MH on housing developments should remain in place, unless it is proven, using the best available scientific evidence, that nature is better served by not adopting the hierarchy in specific and individual instances. (Conclusion, Paragraph 97)
Government Response Summary
The government's response focuses entirely on carbon accounting and climate change targets, stating it will maintain a voluntary approach to carbon assessments and update planning practice guidance. It does not address the committee's recommendation regarding the strict application of the mitigation hierarchy in housing developments.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
73. In our response to the 2024 consultation on reforms to the NPPF which sought views on the introduction of carbon accounting through the planning system, we recognised the concerns raised by respondents including low technological readiness and issues with data accuracy and verification. Mandating carbon assessments would introduce significant challenges for many local authorities and developers, creating disproportionate burdens and delays. Our priority is to simplify the policy landscape and accelerate delivery; introducing a mandatory requirement now would add complexity. Therefore, we currently intend to maintain a voluntary approach to the use of carbon accounting, and have instead committed to updating the Planning Practice Guidance to assist local authorities in considering carbon emissions within the plan-making process, and to support developers in using carbon accounting to reduce carbon emissions as part of their development proposals. 74. On December 2025 Government published a consultation on a new NPPF which included proposed changes to planning policies for climate change, including a proposed new plan-making policy that highlights how carbon assessments can help inform development plans. 75. The Climate Change Act is the UK’s legally binding framework for long-term emission reduction targets. This sets out the commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and 5-yearly carbon budgets in law. Carbon budgets provide a framework for Governments to protect us from the long-term threat of climate change; they do not dictate the policy choices that any Government takes. Economy-wide net zero and carbon budgets, as opposed to sector specific targets such as for the built environment, provides Government with the flexibility to plot an optimal, cost-effective path to net zero by 2050. What is important is that the Government remains able to meet its carbon reduction targets in the round, even if emissions rise in one area they must be fully balanced by either further carbon savings or high- quality and permanent greenhouse gas removals elsewhere.