Housebuilders have stressed their commitment to protecting wildlife living near their developments after the communities secretary James Brokenshire wrote to firms reminding them they had a duty of care to consider the impact of their work on birds and animals.

Recent reports of housebuilders covering nearby hedgerows in netting to prevent birds from nesting near housing schemes caused consternation among naturalists and Brokenshire reminded developers to take precautionary action where necessary.

In a letter to leading developers Brokenshire wrote that while the building of new homes was vital, every care must be taken to avoid unnecessary loss of habitats for wildlife, including birds.