The Future Homes Hub's first Homes for Nature Annual Report reveals the impact of the industry's voluntary commitment, with thousands of nesting bricks, hedgehog highways and other wildlife features delivered across new housing developments – including measures that go beyond existing planning requirements.
The first year of Homes for Nature has seen homebuilders deliver 14,553 integral nest bricks, 748 continuous hedgehog highway routes, 5,233 bat features and 2,424 measures for insects, creating new nesting, roosting and habitat opportunities for wildlife.
Crucially, 3,542 nesting bricks and 216 hedgehog highway routes were delivered specifically because of Homes for Nature, rather than existing local planning requirements. These additional measures provide early evidence of the tangible difference the industry-led initiative is making to support nature in new developments.
The findings are published in the Future Homes Hub's first Homes for Nature Annual Report 2025/26, which brings together delivery data, practical lessons and case studies from participating homebuilders.
Making space for nature in new developments
Launched in September 2024, Homes for Nature is a five-year voluntary initiative developed by the Future Homes Hub in collaboration with the homebuilding industry and conservation organisations, including the RSPB, Action for Swifts and Hedgehog Street.
The initiative has secured the support of 28 homebuilders, collectively delivering more than 100,000 homes each year, with a shared commitment to incorporating practical measures for wildlife into new developments.
Signatories have committed to delivering the equivalent of one integral nest brick per home, continuous hedgehog highways across developments and planting that supports wildlife. Additional measures, including bat roosts, insect bricks and nature-friendly sustainable drainage systems, are also encouraged.
Together, these measures aim to provide nesting opportunities for declining bird species, reconnect habitats for hedgehogs and create places where people and wildlife can thrive.
An encouraging start, with more progress to come
The first annual report provides an important baseline for the programme, capturing measures that have actually been installed rather than those simply included in planning applications.
With a typical two-to-three-year period between planning submission and construction, many developments covered by the commitment since September 2024 are still progressing through the planning and building process.
As these developments reach completion, the number of wildlife features delivered through Homes for Nature is expected to grow significantly.
Gemma Jerome, Head of Nature at the Future Homes Hub, said:
"The first year of Homes for Nature gives us a really encouraging picture of what homebuilders are already achieving. Thousands of nesting bricks and other wildlife features are being incorporated into new developments, and we're beginning to see the additional benefits of the industry's collective commitment.
"This is just the starting point. As more developments progress from planning through to completion, we have a real opportunity to build on this momentum, share what works and make nature-friendly development a normal part of how we build new homes."
Homebuilders putting nature into practice
The report features case studies from Lioncourt Homes and Barratt Redrow, demonstrating how wildlife measures can be incorporated into developments of different sizes and scales.
At The Croft in Keresley, Coventry, Lioncourt Homes is incorporating Homes for Nature measures into a 171-home development, despite these features not being specifically required by the local planning authority. Working with Ethos Ecology, the completed development will include 78 integral nest bricks, 10 continuous hedgehog routes, 72 bat boxes and five bee bricks.
The case study highlights the importance of early collaboration between design, ecology and technical teams, alongside clear processes for tracking and reporting delivery.
Meanwhile, Barratt Redrow demonstrates how nesting opportunities can be delivered at scale. Through its longstanding partnership with the RSPB, the homebuilder has purchased more than 9,000 swift bricks for installation since 2016.
At Honeyman's Helm in Highworth, Swindon, swift occupation has already been confirmed in an integral nesting brick, providing evidence of these features being used by their intended species.
The case study also highlights how integral nest bricks can benefit other cavity-nesting birds, including house sparrows, and the importance of long-term monitoring to understand their impact.
Supporting stronger expectations for nature
The findings come as national planning policy places greater emphasis on incorporating nature into new developments.
Homes for Nature aligns with the stronger expectations for wildlife features set out in the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), providing homebuilders with technical guidance and practical advice to support delivery.
The report also emphasises that installing wildlife features is only the beginning. Raising awareness among residents, protecting hedgehog highways, and ensuring appropriate long-term management and monitoring will be essential to securing lasting benefits for wildlife.
Through continued reporting, collaboration and the sharing of practical experience, Homes for Nature aims to help make these measures a routine part of delivering new homes.
Read the report and join our webinar
The Homes for Nature Annual Report 2025/26 is now available to download, providing a detailed overview of the first-year findings, developer case studies and lessons learned.
Download the Homes for Nature Year 1 Annual Report
The Future Homes Hub will also host a free Homes for Nature Lunch & Learn on Friday 27th November, 1–2pm, exploring the findings, the wider initiative and the reporting process.
Register for the Homes for Nature webinar
Homebuilders interested in joining the initiative can also explore the Homes for Nature commitment and access practical guidance and resources.
Find out more about Homes for Nature