Chancellor Rachel Reeves has intervened to unblock a development of 20,000 homes in Sussex that was stalled due to the presence of a protected rare snail. Speaking at the JP Morgan Tech Stars conference, Reeves revealed that a developer with whom she has a 'good relationship' brought the issue to her attention.
The chancellor described the snails as 'microscopic' and said they had prevented construction from proceeding. The snail in question is believed to be the little whirlpool ramshorn snail, a 5mm-diameter species that is one of the rarest in Britain and an indicator of clean water.
Reeves told the audience not to disclose the development before Thursday or Friday, when the government plans to announce it. The move comes as the government considers planning reforms that could include discarding EU-derived habitats regulations protecting rare animals and adding pro-building amendments to the planning and infrastructure bill.
Environmental groups have criticised the chancellor's actions. Craig Bennett, CEO of the Wildlife Trusts, said it was 'shocking' to hear Reeves boast about allowing privileged access to circumvent parliamentary processes. Alexa Culver, a planning lawyer at RSK Wilding, noted that microscopic elements of nature are essential to prosperity and that the planning system balances competing needs.
A Treasury spokesperson said the recording was from a private event, adding that the government is reforming the outdated planning system to build 1.5 million homes needed by hardworking people.
