Fix the Planning Bill so nature doesn't pay the price

EARLIER this week, The Wildlife Trust joined more than 30 charities in calling on the Government to make urgent repairs to its the new planning reforms.

- By ERIN MCDAID

The Trust and others believe that the reforms fail to deliver the Government's promise of a 'win-win' for nature and development, and instead risk significantly undermining environmental law.

Reform presents an opportunity to improve how development is delivered and to support more strategic nature recovery at scale but as the bill stands, its risks tipping the balance too far in favour of developers and threatens vital wildlife protections.

The coalition of charities has urged the Government to work with us and to support our amendments as the Planning and Infrastructure Bill progresses through committee stage. These would help ensure that planning changes deliver both positive change for nature and for growth.

CEOs from 32 nature organisations, including Craig Bennett of The Wildlife Trusts, have written to Defra Secretary of State Steve Reed and Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook, to warn that if the proposed Bill proceeds unchanged, it risks breaking new ground in terms of destroying nature across England.