Peers secure vital safeguards for nature

Peers have made a strong and sustained case throughout the passage of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to ensure nature is protected.

In response to cross-party amendments led by P4P Peers, the Government has today confirmed that its new strategic approach, which would allow developers to offset environmental harms by contributing to a central fund for nature recovery elsewhere, will only be used where it is safe for nature - a vital step towards ensuring development and nature protection can work together.

Full statement from P4P Chair, Baroness Willis of Summertown:

“I welcome the Government’s confirmation that its new strategic approach in the Planning Bill - intended to protect nature while supporting development - will only be introduced for nutrient pollution initially, one of the few areas we know it can reduce planning blockages and is safe for nature.

Peers have made a strong case that the proposed Environmental Development Plans (EDPs), which would allow developers to offset environmental harms by contributing to a central fund for nature recovery elsewhere, should only be used where the scientific evidence shows it is appropriate and where they can genuinely streamline processes for developers. They should not be applied to vulnerable habitats or species that cannot be replaced or offset.

I am encouraged that the Minister has recognised these concerns and committed to a proportionate, sequenced rollout, starting with nutrient neutrality, the outcomes of which will be reviewed before moving onto other features.

This should mean there is time to see how EDPs are performing before any decision to widen coverage is taken. Ideally this process should be informed by an independent and transparent review of whether EDPs are working as intended, helping to address the concerns raised by politicians from all parties and by a wide range of organisations about the risks of unintended consequences for nature, and that those delivering EDPs, should not be marking their own homework on success or otherwise of this complex new approach ”.