'Nature crisis!' Fury as Angela Rayner risks 'demolishing wildlife' with housing blitz

Nearly 30 green charities have warned MPs Government’s nature plans could “pave the way for destruction of wildlife”. The 28 environmental groups issued warnings to parliamentarians over the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

It includes housing developers being able to build on once-protected green spaces without having to replace the loss of nature in the nearby area. Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said: “As it stands, the Planning Bill is set to demolish legal protection for nature and pave the way for destruction of wildlife.

“So far, the proposals are a mile away from the Government’s aim for a win-win for nature and development. Even the Government’s nature watchdog agrees that it would damage environmental protection.

"It's disappointing that Government rejected constructive amendments that could put the Bill back on firm foundations for nature protection and greener development.

“But we heard Ministers acknowledge the case for change and now we urge them to follow up with quick and decisive fixes for the Bill's serious flaws. Without major improvements, Parliament should reject these damaging proposals.”

Charities met Environment Secretary Steve Reed last week where they warned that the Bill as it stands would “break Government nature commitments”.

The charities have mailed spoof planning notices to all English MPs and Ministers, including the Prime Minister, Mr Reed and Angela Rayner.

Beccy Speight, RSPB chief executive, said: “This should have been a once in a generation opportunity to create a planning system that helps restore nature at scale while delivering for communities and the economy. Instead, promises from the UK Government have been kicked into the long grass and we’ve been left with a Bill that as currently drafted risks species extinction, irreversible habitat loss and threatens legally binding Environment Act targets.

“Handing developers a licence to destroy precious habitats and species for a fee is not what was promised, and certainly not what our natural world and the people of this country need and deserve. If the UK Government is to maintain a shred of credibility on the environment we must see substantial amends to part three of this Bill without delay.”

England is currently facing a nature crisis, with 1 in 6 British species at risk of extinction, a 32% decrease in wildlife populations since 1970.

The UK is among the worst 10% globally for nature loss, the groups warned.

Nature experts have said the bill could allow developers to ignore environmental protections, as well as creating a “cash to trash nature” system.

This is because it allows developers to pay into a nature restoration fund rather than ensuring they protect wildlife on the site they are building on

A government spokesman said: “The Nature Restoration Fund will have a robust environmental test to ensure habitats and species are left in a better condition in communities.

“This Government inherited a failing system that blocks homes, infrastructure, economic growth and does little for nature’s recovery. Our Planning and Infrastructure Bill will deliver a win-win for the economy and nature.”