Chiefs of 32 nature organisations have issued a warning to Government that the new planning reforms in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. fail to deliver the Government’s promise of a ‘win-win’ for nature and development, and threaten to demolish environmental law.

The CEOs have today written to Defra Secretary of State Steve Reed and Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook, issuing a warning that if new planning laws proposed in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill proceeds unchanged, it will break new ground in the destruction of nature across England.

They are calling on Ministers to work with environmental groups to deliver the ‘win-win’ scenario that was originally promised by the Government when the Bill was announced. They are urging Government to support amendments to the Bill which would protect nature and deliver sustainable development for generations to come.

The letter, signed by leading conservation organisations, including The Wildlife Trusts, Woodland Trust, RSPB, National Trust, WWT, Rivers Trust and Marine Conservation Society makes it clear that the proposals, in their current form, would significantly weaken environmental law.

Proposed reforms “could push species towards extinction and lead to irreversible habitat loss”

This could push species towards extinction, lead to irreversible habitat loss, and would make it less likely for the Government to meet its legally binding Environment Act targets, the NGOs say..

It could also significantly affect local communities with issues such as more sewage in rivers, greater flood risk and loss of local parks, woodlands, and river and wetland walks.

The signatories argue that the Bill falls far short of delivering on both nature recovery and responsible development for communities, and could allow developers to effectively disregard environmental rules and community concerns.

This would mean that the country’s most protected, valuable and vulnerable sites for nature, such as heathlands, woodlands and wetlands, will no longer have the strong safeguards that they have now, putting them at real risk of damage and destruction from the impacts of new development that will be waived through.

The NGOs are warning that in its current form, the language around proposed ‘Environmental Development Plans’ is not strong enough to actually deliver the promised benefits and could allow developers to ignore environmental requirements and scientific evidence and provide no guarantees that substantial nature recovery work will take place.

They also warn that the legislation may significantly weaken Habitat Regulations, rules which have helped to effectively protect wildlife for decades. In so doing the Bill risks stripping away vital protections without clear requirements on developers to deliver the nature restoration needed to bring iconic landscapes such as chalk streams, wildflower meadows and ancient woodlands back to life and to protect species like hazel dormice, otters and struggling bird and butterfly species.

Richard Benwell, CEO 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. It would leave vulnerable species and irreplaceable habitats like chalk streams and ancient woodlands more exposed than ever to unsustainable development. Promises of nature recovery efforts in return are thin and uncertain."

"Ministers must strengthen safeguards to ensure development can't proceed without every effort to avoid harm to protected wildlife, that rigorous science informs decision-making, and that compensation for damage isn't kicked years into the future.”

The Government thinks these proposals will save lots of time and money for developers, so the law should guarantee a decent proportion is reinvested in nature. It shouldn't just offset harm, but make a significant contribution to restoring our natural world. Ultimately, that will lead to developments that are greener and safer, and help solve the environmental problems that the law is trying to tackle".

Beccy Speight, RSPB Chief Executive, added:

“Investing in nature makes clear economic sense. Taking a wrecking ball to the very thing the economy and supply chains depend on does not. The UK Government must urgently address the Bill’s key failings and instead of weakening protections, prioritise avoiding harm, base decisions on science, and guarantee upfront environmental benefits that will see nature restored at scale.”

As the Bill moves towards Committee stage this month, the group has reiterated its desire to work with Ministers and the government to get the bill back on course.

The group is calling for the Government to support the following priority amendments:

• Prioritise avoiding harm: Developers must first avoid environmental damage before relying on Environmental Delivery Partnerships (EDPs), with harm to protected sites only permitted for overriding public interest.
• Base decisions on science: New protected features should only be added when clear scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of strategic approaches.
• Guarantee upfront benefits: Environmental improvements must be delivered upfront, especially for irreplaceable or significant damage, with a clear and transparent improvement plan.
• Ensure net gain for nature: Strengthen the improvement test to require definite, measurable, and significant benefits, rather than just probable improvements.