The UK government is pressuring major wildlife organisations to end their campaign against the planning bill, the Guardian has learned. Officials offered nine amendments to the legislation during a meeting last Friday, in exchange for the charities halting their opposition. The RSPB, Wildlife Trusts, National Trust, and Wildlife and Countryside Link—which represent 8 million members—say the bill's part 3 is a 'licence to kill nature' and want it scrapped entirely.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has prepared a statement for the charities to sign, claiming the amendments 'will provide confidence that our reforms will truly deliver for nature'. However, sources say the offered changes are insufficient. One charity source stated: 'There is a lot of pressure... but what’s been offered... is not enough for us; we are not convinced.' Another participant said their organisation 'will take some persuading'.
The bill would allow developers to bypass environmental assessments by paying a levy into a nature recovery fund. It has been labelled a 'regression' of environmental law by the government's own watchdog and two independent legal opinions. Analysis suggests over 5,000 protected sites are at high risk of destruction. More than 100,000 people have signed a petition against the bill.
Peers will debate scrapping part 3 when the bill returns to the House of Lords on Thursday. Environmental lawyer Alexa Culver criticised 'back-room bargains' leading to 'worst of all worlds' amendments. A government spokesperson defended the bill, saying the inherited system 'blocked homes, infrastructure and economic growth while doing nothing for nature’s recovery'.
