A report by a cross-party group of MPs warns that the government may hinder both housing development and environmental targets by perceiving nature as an obstacle. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill seeks to supplant existing habitat protections, a move the government claims is necessary to meet its goal of constructing 1.5 million houses before the end of the parliamentary term.
The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) contends that the provisions in the bill are insufficient for achieving these goals. The report emphasizes that framing nature as a scapegoat could undermine the government’s effectiveness in addressing actual challenges facing the planning system.
In response, a Ministry of Housing spokesperson asserted that the government is implementing significant reforms aimed at improving a failing system, purporting that these changes could benefit both economic and environmental outcomes. The Labour government has pledged to build 1.5 million new homes in England by 2029 as part of its strategy to alleviate the housing crisis and stimulate economic growth.
The proposed reforms aim to simplify the planning process to expedite development on smaller sites by overriding certain habitat protections. Should the draft legislation pass through parliament, it would permit developers to contribute to a nature restoration fund while making general environmental improvements, rather than adhering to strict habitat requirements.
The EAC maintains that nature should not be seen as an impediment to housing development but is essential for creating resilient communities. It advocates for the government to tackle a skills shortage in ecology, planning, and construction instead. The report suggests implementing better incentives for building or retrofitting carbon-friendly homes and recommends enhancing the manufacturing viability of green construction products.
A Ministry of Housing spokesperson reiterated that the government inherited a problematic system and is determined to reform it through initiatives like the Nature Restoration Fund, which they believe can support both housing needs and environmental sustainability.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn0941r9d49o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss