Infrastructure and green spaces

Since the 2024 election, Labour has made no secret of its desire to kickstart the UK's sluggish economy and solve the shortage of housing. But at what cost to nature and our green spaces?

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The Planning and Infrastructure Bill is being presented as "central to the Government's plan to get Britain building again and deliver economic growth". The bill "will speed up and streamline the delivery of new homes and critical infrastructure, supporting delivery of the Government's Plan for Change milestones of building 1.5 million safe and decent homes in England and fast-tracking 150 planning decisions on major economic infrastructure projects by the end of this Parliament." As part of the bill (Part III), there is "a proposed nature restoration levy payable by developers". Essentially, this is a fund to offset the impact of development on protected sites and species. By paying the levy, developers can be exempt from some environmental obligations. Prime Minister Keir Starmer commented on the issue: "For too long, blockers have had the upper hand in legal challenges - using our court processes to frustrate growth. We're putting an end to this challenge culture by taking on the NIMBYs and a broken system that has slowed down our progress as a nation." For many, especially those in the nature community, this is a danger sign a licence to kill nature and an open door to a 'cash to trash' model for developers. Writing in The Guardian, environmental journalist George Monbiot said: "The bill is the worst assault on England's ecosystems in living memory. It erases decades of environmental protections." Sustainable development campaigner Jonatha