SEO Riders:
– UK Planning Bill environmental controversy
– Impact of Planning and Infrastructure Bill on UK biodiversity
– Conservation groups oppose UK government’s planning reforms
The UK government’s proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill has come under intense scrutiny from leading conservation organizations, including The Wildlife Trusts and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). Critics argue that Part 3 of the bill, which allows developers to damage protected natural sites in exchange for contributions to a central nature fund, effectively grants a “licence to destroy” and undermines longstanding environmental safeguards. This provision is seen as a significant departure from the government’s earlier commitments to environmental protection, such as the pledge to protect 30% of the UK’s land and sea by 2030 under the UN COP15 biodiversity framework.
Environmental groups have highlighted that the proposed legislation could lead to irreversible damage to irreplaceable habitats like ancient woodlands and chalk streams. An analysis of over 17,000 planning appeals in 2024 revealed that wildlife concerns were responsible for delays in less than 3% of cases, challenging the government’s narrative that environmental regulations are a significant barrier to development.
Despite calls for amendments to strengthen environmental protections, the government has rejected proposals aimed at safeguarding vital habitats. The Wildlife Trusts and the RSPB have urged the removal of Part 3 from the bill, warning that its current form could accelerate the decline of the UK’s biodiversity and hinder efforts to meet legally binding environmental targets.
