The Government was accused on Tuesday night of returning to the New Labour regime of “garden grabbing” by erasing protections introduced by the Tories.
The Conservatives attempted to stamp out the practice, where residential gardens were bought up and bulldozed by developers to make space for new homes, during the coalition years.
But Labour has cut some of the Tory protections from previous versions of the NPPF, including a clause stating that local plans “should consider the case for setting out policies to resist inappropriate development of residential gardens”.
It is feared that this could prompt developers to buy up swathes of homes and cram more properties into the plots, including on people’s former gardens.
The Tories said it risked suburban neighbourhoods being blighted by ugly apartment blocks.
Sir James Cleverly, the shadow housing secretary, said: “Labour are returning to John Prescott’s failed regime of garden grabbing, with quiet suburban neighbourhoods facing the prospect of ugly apartment blocks being erected in their back gardens, totally transforming the communities where they live.
“Labour are riding roughshod over local democracy. Only the Conservatives will ensure we get the right homes in the right places – and unfreeze the housing market by abolishing stamp duty on family homes.”
Greg Smith, the Tory MP for Mid Buckinghamshire, said: “Whilst pushing through new planning laws that will rip up the countryside, destroy farms and trash nature – the swift brick decision seems at odds with their ‘build on everything’ approach.”
Key revisions
Among the “key revisions” listed on Tuesday was the statement: “New builds to include nature-friendly features, such as installing swift bricks to support wildlife – adding little to building costs whilst delivering a win-win for nature and housebuilding.”
Swifts nest in nooks and crannies in buildings. Once a common sight in English skies, their numbers are now declining, placing them on the UK’s red list for birds.
A lack of nesting sites is thought to be one reason behind a falling population, as well as reduced food supplies because of a drop in the number of insects available to eat.
It is understood the bricks will be treated as a requirement for new homes, with developers expected to include them unless there are compelling technical reasons preventing their use or making them ineffective.
