An inquiry by a cross-party committee of Members of Parliament has concluded that nature is not an impediment to housing growth, contradicting assertions made by government ministers. The report, led by Toby Perkins, the Labour chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, emphasizes that rather than hindering development, a healthy natural environment is vital for creating resilient towns and communities.
The committee’s findings challenge what it describes as the “lazy narrative” promoted by the UK government, suggesting that environmental considerations are a barrier to housing delivery. The report indicates that the real obstacles to achieving the government’s ambitious target of constructing 1.5 million homes by the end of the current parliamentary term lie in severe skills shortages within the fields of ecology, planning, and construction.
Perkins stated, “Achieving this target alongside our existing climate and sustainability commitments, which are enshrined in law, will require unprecedented effort. This certainly will not be accomplished by scapegoating nature or claiming it is a ‘blocker’ to housing delivery. A healthy environment is essential to building resilient towns and cities; it must not be sidelined.”
Concerns Over New Legislation
The committee raised alarms regarding the planning and infrastructure bill, which is nearing its final stages of approval. Critics argue that the bill would weaken environmental protections, allowing developers to bypass necessary environmental surveys and mitigation efforts. Instead, developers could contribute to a central nature recovery fund, which would finance improvements elsewhere.
Ecologists, environmental groups, and certain MPs have called for modifications to the draft legislation to maintain protections for wildlife and sensitive habitats. During a recent Commons vote, Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for Housing, urged MPs to reject proposed amendments aimed at preserving these protections.
The committee warned that if the legislation proceeds as currently drafted, the government risks failing to meet its legally mandated targets to halt the decline of nature by 2030 and to reverse this trend by 2042. The report highlighted a critical lack of resources within local planning authorities, particularly in ecological expertise. Evidence presented to the committee indicated that staff at Natural England are overwhelmed and that the necessary skills to implement ecological aspects of planning reforms are insufficient in both quality and quantity.
Natural England’s Role Under Scrutiny
With the government’s proposed changes, Natural England is set to assume a significant role in overseeing the national nature restoration fund, financed by developers. This new structure allows builders to bypass environmental obligations at specific sites, even in areas designated for wildlife protection. Critics have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, as Natural England would receive funding from developers while also being responsible for regulating their actions.
The inquiry highlights a critical moment in the UK’s approach to housing development and environmental sustainability. As the government pushes forward with its housing agenda, the findings of this report underscore the importance of integrating ecological considerations into planning processes, ensuring that both housing and nature can thrive in tandem.
