Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 24
24
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
A response document is linked to this report, dated 13 March 2026. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document ↗