The UK Government hopes that the new Planning and Infrastructure Bill will support its ambitions to build new houses, roll-out renewables, and drive economic growth. It has claimed the Bill offers huge opportunities to restore nature.
Our assessment of what’s in the Bill is that this is simply not true.
In fact, new powers proposed in the Bill could even weaken existing environmental protections, taking us even further away from nature’s recovery, at this critical moment for our planet.
Taking a wrecking ball to nature, the bedrock of our economy, makes no economic sense. To have a future where nature, communities and the economy all thrive, we need bold leadership, forward thinking and collaboration.
The UK Government must urgently address the Bill’s key failings. Instead of weakening protections, they must prioritise avoiding harm, base decisions on science, and guarantee upfront environmental benefits that will see nature restored at scale.
If unamended, the Bill risks doing nothing but accelerating the catastrophic decline of our natural world to the detriment of everyone.
Contact your MP today and ask them to speak up for nature as the Bill progresses to Committee stage.