Nature groups welcome wildlife safeguards in planning proposals

Nature groups welcome wildlife safeguards in planning proposals, but say the system must be reformed with a green guarantee for all planning decisions

Environmental campaigners have welcomed wildlife safeguards in the Government’s proposed shakeup of the UK’s planning system, which has the potential to deliver for nature and development hand in hand.

However, nature coalition Wildlife and Countryside Link stressed the need for the Bill to be strengthened to create a planning system that is truly ‘Wilder By Design’. The coalition wants to see: 

  • A legal duty to make sure that all planning decisions help to deliver climate and nature targets. 
  • Stronger protection for irreplaceable wild spaces, such as chalk streams, peatlands and ancient woodlands and more places given the protections needed to support nature’s recovery. 
  • Development that is wilder by design, with a new chapter in Building Regulations to ensure developments are packed with green and blue spaces and habitats including more bee bricks and bird boxes, sustainable drainage and native planting.

Decades of poor planning has led to space for nature being “squeezed” and often framed as a ‘blocker’ to new development. With the government’s manifesto commitment to build 1.5 million more homes over the next five years, environmental organisations have repeatedly called on ministers to ensure that nature is no longer considered an afterthought in the planning process. [1, 2]

Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link said: “Planning reform is fraught with environmental risk and never more so than when it involves the Habitats Regulations. So, it’s positive to see Government include a legal guarantee that the Nature Restoration Fund must not only compensate for damage but actually benefit protected wildlife. This must be back by redoubling enforcement to ensure that unsustainable development can never proceed with impunity. 

“For nature recovery and development to go hand-in-hand, the Bill should be strengthened with a guarantee that all planning decisions must be compatible with nature and climate targets, more protection for irreplaceable habitats and nature recovery areas, and new Building Regulations for biodiversity so that all infrastructure is wilder by design.”

Beccy Speight, RSPB chief executive, said: “The Planning and Infrastructure Bill represents a huge opportunity to restore nature at scale. Building new homes, growing the economy and meeting net zero all while aiding nature’s recovery is not just possible but essential. With one in six species at risk of extinction from Great Britain we’ve done more damage to our natural world than we realise. We must seize this moment to turn the tide of decline.

“Ministers have shown they are open to working together and this must continue if we are to ensure this Bill delivers the best outcome for nature and people. With bold leadership, collaboration, and smart planning through initiatives like the Nature Restoration Fund, we can build a future where nature, climate, people and the economy thrive together – the right kind of growth. Anything less is a false choice we can’t afford.”

Becky Pullinger, head of land use planning, at The Wildlife Trusts, said: “This bill is a golden opportunity to get development right by addressing the housing and nature crises as two sides of the same coin. We welcome the UK Government’s commitment to establishing legal requirements so the Nature Restoration Fund prioritises protecting wildlife from development and then supports nature’s recovery. Next, we need to see similar ambition from Reeves in the spending review—Natural England must be suitably resourced and skilled to deliver a strategic, landscape-scale recovery of nature and ensure that the fund is effective. 

“We are also calling on the UK Government to introduce a Wildbelt designation to protect places that nature needs for the future — a must-have if the UK plans to meet its commitment to protecting 30% of land for nature’s restoration by 2030.”

Abi Bunker, Director of Conservation and External Affairs at the Woodland Trust, said:

“We welcome greater commitment to nature recovery alongside the Government’s plans for development, they should never be seen as competing forces. But planning decisions must embed the mitigation hierarchy, to protect our most precious nature assets above all else, including ancient woods and trees.

“It is essential with every development that bespoke site level assessments continue to be required, to make sure ancient and veteran trees are identified, protected, and retained for their benefits for people and wildlife. A blanket approach could lead to needless loss of our irreplaceable trees.”

She added: ‘Furthermore the provisions in the Bill for renewables on Public Forest Estate is an opportunity to see how the environmental and social benefits of the estate overall can be maximised. The parallel timing of this Bill with the development of a revised Environmental Improvement Plan is a perfect opportunity to do so.”

Sarah Fowler, CEO of WWT, said: 

“Done well, a strengthened planning system can help deliver for people, wildlife, wetlands and the climate – but working with nature and water is essential. That’s why we’re encouraged to see Ramsar wetland sites included in the Nature Restoration Fund and the legal backup to make it work. 

 “Nature is the builder of healthy, equal and resilient communities; and likewise, wetlands are the blue spaces running through our neighbourhoods, boosting moods, busting floods, purifying our water and connecting us to nature. We must build blue spaces in from the very start of development to truly see the benefits of wetlands where we live, and this Bill is a key opportunity to get that right.”

ENDS 

Notes to editors:

  1. The Wilder By Design Campaign is supported by the following groups: The Aldersgate Group, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Bat Conservation Trust, British Mountaineering Council, Butterfly Conservation, Buglife, Campaign for National Parks, CPRE (The Countryside Charity), Cornwall Seal Group Research Group Trust, Earth Trust, Earthwatch Europe, Friends of the Earth, Froglife, The Institute of Fisheries Management, Mammal Society, Open Spaces Society, People’s Trust for Endangered Species, The Rivers Trust, RSPB, Wildlife Gardening Forum, The Wildlife Trusts, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Aldersgate, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Woodland Trust and UK Youth for Nature.  
  2. The campaign is calling for the following steps to be taken by government:
    • A plan for people and nature
      • Nature and climate action must be central to our planning system—not an afterthought. Goals to end nature’s decline by 2030 and tackle climate change should be guiding principles for the planning system alongside targets to build more homes and infrastructure. We need a clear national spatial plan, for land and water, and a marine spatial prioritisation plan, outlining where nature needs safeguarding and the best places to build.Protecting wildlife, creating more homes in greener communities, and building climate change and energy price resilience can be delivered hand in hand.
    • Don’t Bulldoze Nature’s Protections
      • For decades, environmental laws like the Habitats Regulations have kept our most precious wildlife and landscapes safe. New planning laws must strengthen, not weaken, these vital protections.
    • Go Wilder by Design
      • We need stronger protections for wild spaces and a planning system that helps nature thrive. That means protecting important nature sites and areas identified with high potential for nature’s recovery from inappropriate development. With new rules for developments that make communities Wilder By Design, including more bee bricks and bird boxes, sustainable drainage and native planting.
  3. Data from Wildlife and Countryside Link showed that the UK is still lagging behind on these crucial targets, with just 2.92% of land in England effectively protected for nature. With the Environment Act target to halt the decline in species abundance by 2030 also looming by the end of this parliament, environmental groups have urged the government to ensure the new planning reforms deliver for future generations and meet the urgent need to restore nature and protect the climate. 
  4. Wildlife and Countryside Link (Link) is the largest environment and wildlife coalition in England, bringing together 86 organisations for the protection of nature. Our members campaign to conserve UK wildlife, plants, habitats, rivers and seas and improve access to and enjoyment of our natural spaces. Together our members have the support of over eight million people in the UK and directly protect over 750,000 hectares of land and 800 miles of coastline. Wildlife and Countryside Link is a registered charity number 1107460 and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales number 3889519.