Planning minister Nick Boles claims that buildings can be more beautiful than nature. The RSPB believes we shouldn't have to choose. Well-designed homes close to nature: that's the RSPB's vision for the homes the country needs. We agree that we need many more homes than we are currently building, and some of these will inevitably be on greenfields. Where possible, we should build on brownfield rather than greenfield sites, but in either case we should avoid sensitive wildlife sites and areas at risk of flooding, and build to the highest possible standards. That way we can leave our children beautiful, low-carbon, water-efficient homes with nature on the doorstep.
The minister's views are here in the Guardian and here in the Daily Telegraph