Is this a victory? Hedgehogs and the National Planning Policy Framework

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When I set up this petition in 2018 the aim was to get the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) changed so that hedgehog highways became compulsory in every new housing development.

There was a near miss in 2019 - when guidance was changed by the outgoing Secretary of State, James Brokenshire. I thought we had won, but the guidance came with no teeth.

But Monday 17th August, the government published the latest version of the NPPF, and my dear friend Dominic Woodfield, who is the boss of ecological consultants, Bioscan, and has to keep on top of all the changes, got in touch to share this news … on page 89 of the 128 page document …

N2 - Improving the Natural Environment

Section 1 - To contribute positively to the natural environment, and support nature’s recovery, development proposals should:

Paragraph f - Minimise any adverse impacts on biodiversity and include features which support priority or threatened species such as swifts, bats and hedgehogs. Development proposals should incorporate integrated nest boxes (commonly known as swift bricks) into their construction unless there are compelling technical reasons which prevent their use, or would make them ineffective;

Now - what this will mean in practice we will have to wait and see, but it certainly seems to be a far more robust approach to hedgehog highways than the 2019 guidance. Dominic thinks that if there are no swift bricks or hedgehog holes, then the development would be in breach of this paragraph … so that will need the local planning authority to be on the case … and also YOU!

Because it is members of the public who have the greatest chance to help make this change stick. If you see a new development, please, pop into the show house - and ask. Simple as that. Ask the question - have you put in hedgehog highways as now required by 2026 NPPF, N2(1)(f). I hope that will at least put the fear into them!

Why is this important? The research funded by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and and the People’s Trust for Endangered Species has shown how far hedgehogs can move each night. Males average 2km, females 1km. They are moving to find food, water, shelter, and potential mates.

We have seen that suburban hedgehogs are doing much better than rural hedgehogs, because we have created a brilliant mosaic habitat of gardens and green (well, parched, brown) spaces. But the barriers we erect between gardens can prevent hedgehogs finding what they need, or, indeed, push hedgehogs more onto the roads - thereby increasing their risk of being killed.

If there is a small, 13cm, hole in all the fences of an estate, then hedgehogs can massively reduce their chance of being run over.

So - now you are equipped with the information … go forth and help hedgehogs! And if you bump into any people from the local authority planning department, remind them that they can help hedgehogs too!

OKAY - now that is out of the way - this is what I was fully meaning to write about today!

HedgeFest 2026!

You know those times when you have a bright idea and free it into the wild before your rational brain has caught up with you and maybe taken you to a quiet corner for a serious chat?

Well, that has just happened to me.

Within our hedgehog world a note had gone around, asking whether we would be interested in getting involved in someway with HedgeFest 2026 … a fundraising event on Saturday 5th September, at The Ivy House, Nunhead, London, SE15 3BE - raising money to help HEDGEHOG HIGHWAYS happen - through the BHPS and PTES. You see, this has come full circle without me having to try.

And what was my idea? That maybe they would want 20 minutes of hedgehog comedy as part of the event … and they said yes. So - there will be music and information, there will be a crowd of hedgehog fans - and there will be ME!!! Telling not too rude stories about hedgehogs …

Now - I have done this sort of thing quite a few times now and I sort of love doing it but I also get so very nervous … so come along and give me some support!

Tickets for the event can be found here.

But maybe you can’t come? Maybe it is too far, or you are already away? Well, you can help - and PLEASE - if you can, do … they have a fundraising page that will really increase the amount of money going to the hedgehog charities. Thank you.