Why Government refuses to make installation of Swift bricks mandatory in new housing projects

                                                 

Baroness Taylor: Building regulations are designed to safeguard people - not to protect wildlife 

A HOUSING minister who sits in the House of Lords  has explained why the Government is refusing to amend building regulatons to make installation of Swift bricks mandatory in new developments

Says Baroness Taylor of Stevenage: "The regulations are designed to safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of individuals in and around buildings. 

"They were not designed to apply to the protection of wildlife.

"Expanding their scope to include interventions such as Swift bricks would mark a significant shift in regulatory intent. 

"This risks a number of unintended consequences, including diluting the purpose of the current regime, establishing overlapping policies and adding significant administrative pressure to a system that is already under strain."

Her statement to the 'Lords continued: "Furthermore, the process of updating building regulations is highly technical and complex. 

"Introducing requirements that fall outside the current remit could:

* Slow down essential updates

* Divert resources 

* Place additional burdens on registered building control approvers

* Complicate existing inspection, sanction and enforcement procedures 

* Fundamentally undermine the credibility of the system 

Baroness Taylor continued: "Many homebuilders have signed up to the Homes for Nature scheme, led by the Future Homes Hub. 

"As part of this commitment, developers must install a bird-nesting brick or box with every new home.

" Participants in the scheme include some of our biggest volume homebuilders, such as Barratt Redrow, Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon Homes who make up a significant proportion of the overall market.

" Extensive guidance is available to assist developers in selecting and installing these features, including the British industry standard, the Future Homes Hub’s Homes for Nature guidance, and the RSPB’s guide to nestboxes. 

"Additionally, the National Design Guide and National Model Design Code illustrate how well-designed places can support rich and varied biodiversity." 

The Baroness concludes  "Therefore, the use of building regulations to mandate Swift bricks is unnecessary."

* See also previous report

* See also previous report