A number of constituents have written to me over the issue of hedgerow
and tree netting. I have followed this issue with some concern and note the
large public response to the recent petition. The petition has been signed by over 310,000
people.
The
Ministry of Housing has written to builders and developers to remind and no
doubt alert them afresh regarding the legal obligations around this.
The
petition will now be considered for a Parliamentary debate and as I am on the
committee it is not appropriate to say much more.
There has
been a number of government and ministry statements on this:
"Netting
trees and hedgerows is only appropriate where genuinely needed to protect birds
from harm during development”.
"Any
development project must consider the impact on local wildlife and take
precautionary action to protect habitat”.
"Bird
netting should be kept to a minimum, and used only to help protect birds during
development."
"It
is vital developers take these words on board and play their full role to make
sure we can deliver new communities in an environmentally sustainable
way."
As a result of the public outcry I understand a number of developers
have stopped or removed netting.
