One-sided planning law threatens nature

Oldham Liberal Democrats have backed the heads of 32 nature and environmental organisations, including the National Trust, the Wildlife Trusts, Butterfly Conservation and the Woodland Trust, who are calling the Government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill “one-sided” and a threat to nature.  The Bill is Keir Starmer’s attempt to cut planning regulations and make development easier.

Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “There is a balance that’s needed between development and nature.  We can’t just throw environmental protections out of the window.”

The letter from top bosses of environmental organisations says the government’s plans could “leave vulnerable species and irreplaceable habitats like chalk streams and ancient woodlands more exposed than ever to unsustainable development. Promises of nature recovery efforts in return are thin and uncertain.”

Councillor Sykes said, “These are trusted organisations with large memberships and support from the public.  They have the expertise when it comes to conservation, not the government.  I urge the government to listen to experts and make sure that new development compliments our natural world.

“Planning should be about local decisions being made by elected representatives that are accountable to the local people who elected them.  With this Planning Bill, Labour is proposing the opposite.  We will see decisions being made further away from the people they affect.”