By Abdullahi Lukman
Two major UK conservation groups, The Wildlife Trusts and the RSPB, have strongly criticised the Labour government, accusing it of undermining environmental commitments through proposed planning legislation.
Their concerns focus on Part 3 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which they say allows developers to harm protected natural areas in exchange for payments to a central nature fund—described by the groups as a “licence to destroy.”
They argue this undermines protections for vital habitats such as ancient woodlands, chalk streams, and the Peak District Moors.
The government had earlier pledged to implement the UN COP15 biodiversity framework by releasing its National Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan (NBSAP), including the goal of safeguarding 30% of UK land and sea by 2030.
Conservationists now say the new bill contradicts those goals.
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New research accompanying the statement reveals that wildlife concerns have minimal impact on planning delays.
An analysis of over 17,000 appeals in 2024 showed that environmental issues contributed to fewer than 3% of cases, challenging government claims that protections hinder development.
The backlash grew after NGOs and MPs had their proposed amendments to the bill rejected.
The Wildlife Trusts and the RSPB are now calling for the removal of the Nature Recovery section from the bill entirely.
Craig Bennett, CEO of The Wildlife Trusts, accused Labour of betraying its environmental promises, calling the bill “environmentally regressive.”
RSPB’s chief, Beccy Speight, added that continued engagement with the government has failed to yield meaningful change and warned that the bill could lead to a collapse in the UK’s biodiversity.
