The UK Government’s new Planning and Infrastructure Bill threatens nature recovery in England – one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world – by weakening environmental protection measures for new housing developments. If the bill were to go through in its current form, developers wouldn’t need to base their Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) on ecological evidence, nor would they be required to prioritise environmental protection.
Operation Noah is supporting the Wildlife Trust’s petition to Angela Rayner MP to strengthen elements of the bill before it becomes law.
Amendments have been tabled by MPs that would require EDPs to be based on scientific evidence, to meet a high legal test, to prioritise avoiding harm and to deliver benefits for nature ahead of damage. Additional proposed amendments would require developers to put in place better protections for threatened chalk streams and to designate ‘Wildbelt’ sites.
Many scientists are upset about the watering down of existing environmental protections in this Bill, as are dozens of nature groups. Please add your voice to the petition as the more signatures this petition gets, the more attention it will receive in Parliament.
The Bill is currently at report stage and will go to the House of Lords sometime after 22 May.
Help us to get the messages across that new homes can and should be delivered alongside the recovery of wild spaces. Sign the Wildlife Trust’s petition here.