Norfolk charity says nature safeguards will be lost, under planning reform plans
28 charities have warned that current proposals to increase the number of home and infrastructure- will "demolish" nature
An environmental group in Norfolk warns decade old safeguards for nature- will be lost thanks new Government plans
28 charities have warned that current proposals to increase the number of home and infrastructure- will "demolish" nature
"Far from making this an easier process, I think it will just make it more complicated"
Eliot Lyne is CEO at Norfolk Wildlife Trust:
He says this will do more harm than good:
"We have a number of Labour MPs here in Norfolk, now. They were elected on a manifesto that very categorically said that they wouldn't reduce environmental protections.
"Far from making this an easier process, I think it will just make it more complicated and it will drive people to be more antagonistic towards Government.
"I think we should be in a situation where we're trying to persuade everyone that investing in sustainable development and nature is a good thing".
What is The Planning & Infrastructure Bill?
The Government says this legislation will speed up and streamline the delivery of new homes and critical infrastructure.
It's main objectives are:
1) Delivering a faster and more certain consenting process for critical infrastructure
Through streamlining NSIP consultation requirements, ensuring National Policy Statements are kept up to date, and reducing opportunities for judicial review.
2) Introducing a more strategic approach to nature recovery
The Bill will introduce a new Nature Restoration Fund that will unlock and accelerate development while going beyond simply offsetting harm.
3) Improving certainty and decision-making in the planning system:
By ensuring that planning committees play their proper role in scrutinising development without obstructing it, whilst maximising the use of experienced professional planners.
4) Unlocking land and securing public value for large scale investment
Ensuring that compensation paid to landowners through the compulsory purchase order process is fair but not excessive, and that development corporations can operate effectively.
5) Introducing effective new mechanisms for cross-boundary strategic planning:
The Bill implement strategic planning at a sub-regional level through the production of Spatial Development Strategies to facilitate effective cross-boundary working to address development and infrastructure needs.
Some Opposition to the Bill:
The Planning Bill is moving to Report Stage, the final opportunity for MPs to amend the bill before it progresses to the House of Lords.
This group of environmental charities say they fear the Planning & Infrastructure Bill in its current form would severely weaken existing environmental protections.
While also lead to the decline of UK wildlife, wild places and green spaces in communities, with no guarantee of local environmental improvements in return for new development.
What's the Government said on this?
Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, Angela Rayner said:
“We have no time to waste in bringing the housing crisis we’ve inherited to an end, not only for those struggling to get onto the housing ladder but for the families and young children who are stuck in temporary accommodation.
“That’s why it is so crucial that we get Britain building and the return of the landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill to Parliament today represents another step forward in achieving this goal.
“But to ensure we can prove the naysayers wrong, and deliver on our Plan for Change target to build the 1.5 million homes and crucial infrastructure this country needs, we need to make our planning reforms law as quickly as possible. This is why today I am urging Parliament to back this Bill and ensure we can deliver the change so many people want to see.”