Tories in bid to head off homes plan rebellion

MINISTERS trying to defuse a Tory Party row about Boris Johnson’s plan to build 300,000 homes a year are studying new research that says opposition to developments crumbles if builders invest in wildlife schemes.

Backbenchers have warned the Prime Minister that nearly 100 Tory MPs could rebel over the Planning Bill, which they fear threatens to despoil swathes of the South East of England.

Labour has already said it will vote against what it calls a ‘developers’ charter’.

But research being considered in Whitehall has shown that 62 per cent of those opposed to developments would support them if the Government invested in ‘biodiversity’ measures to boost the number of plants and wildlife in the local area.

The research, which was carried by Stack Data Strategy, is likely to lead to the acceleration of Government plans for a Biodiversity Net Gain policy to force property developers to invest in environmental protection.

Tory MP Bim Afolami said: ‘With such strong public support, the Government should act as soon as possible… and provide the dual benefit of protecting our wildlife and helping people on to the housing ladder.’