Planning proposals will 'supercharge' decline of wildlife, say campaigners

The heads of 32 UK nature organisations have written to the government warning that its planning bill "throws environmental protection to the wind".

- Helena Horton

The planning and infrastructure bill, which covers England with some provisions that affect Wales and Scotland, is at committee stage in parliament. It aims to streamline regulations for developers so they can accelerate their projects.

Nature bosses have written to the environment and housing secretaries warning that the bill is "one-sided" and could allow developers to ignore environmental protections.

The bill includes measures such as removing guidance in England on conducting bat surveys before building a structure, for example.

Richard Benwell, the chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said: "The government is right that a win-win is possible for nature and development, but the planning bill is completely one-sided. It throws environmental protection to the wind, with little to offer future generations or communities fearful for the future of nature.