Small changes to residential gardens and fencing could play a growing role in supporting urban biodiversity, as UK lawmakers consider planning reforms that would embed wildlife-friendly design into new developments.
Members of the House of Lords are currently debating amendments to the government’s planning bill that could require new housing schemes to include measures such as hedgehog highways, pollinator-friendly planting and bird-safe windows.
Gardens as part of urban ecosystems
The proposals reflect increasing recognition of private gardens as important habitats for wildlife, particularly in towns and cities where natural spaces are fragmented. Conservation groups have long warned that barriers such as solid fencing and hard landscaping restrict the movement of species such as hedgehogs, contributing to population decline.
Wildlife-friendly measures are designed to counter these pressures by reconnecting habitats and reducing everyday risks for animals living alongside people.
What wildlife-friendly measures include
Measures under consideration by lawmakers include:
- Hedgehog highways – small gaps, typically around 15 centimetres, at the base of garden fences to allow hedgehogs to move safely between neighbouring gardens.
- Pollinator-friendly planting – native flowers, herbs and shrubs that provide food and shelter for bees, butterflies and other insects.
- Bird-safe windows – patterned or treated glass that reduces bird collisions, a significant cause of injury and mortality in urban areas.
- Connected habitats – coordination between neighbouring properties to create continuous wildlife corridors across residential areas.
Advocates argue that these relatively small interventions can have an outsized impact on local biodiversity while remaining compatible with modern housing design.
Balancing biodiversity, security and design
Garden and materials specialists note that wildlife-friendly features can be incorporated into fencing and landscaping without undermining security or visual appeal. Features such as discreet hedgehog openings, integrated planter boxes and durable, low-maintenance materials allow homeowners and developers to balance ecological and practical considerations.
Robert Witcomb, a sustainable garden design specialist, said that thoughtful design can benefit both wildlife and residents:
“Small, considered interventions in fencing and planting can have a big impact. Wildlife-friendly design helps protect species under pressure while creating gardens that are attractive, resilient and easier to maintain over the long term.”
Implications for homeowners and developers
While costs vary depending on the scale of work, proponents argue that wildlife-friendly gardens deliver strong perceived value. In addition to environmental benefits, features such as planting, natural materials and coherent landscape design can enhance kerb appeal and signal good stewardship to future buyers.
For homeowners, practical steps include adding native plants, coordinating access points with neighbours, and integrating biodiversity features into longer-term garden plans. For developers, the planning debate highlights the likelihood that biodiversity considerations will increasingly form part of standard residential design.
As planning policy evolves, gardens may play a more visible role in supporting nature recovery while contributing to healthier, more resilient neighbourhoods.
For more information: https://www.ecompositeproducts.co.uk/
