Hedgehog highways could become requirement for new buildings

Hedgehog highways are small holes in fences and walls that allow the animals to pass between gardens and green spaces. Photograph: Colin Varndell/Alamy

Hedgehog highways and bird-safe glass could become requirements for all new buildings as members of the House of Lords push through amendments to the government’s planning bill.

This may cause a headache for ministers, who have tried to avoid burdening developers with laws on nature measures such as “swift bricks”. The new Lords amendments include mandated provision for these nesting boxes, which campaigners say are crucial for the survival of the threatened species.