In a major development, more than 5,000 rare and protected natural areas in England are now in danger of being damaged or destroyed. This risk comes from Labour’s new planning bill, which is part of their promise to build more homes and grow the economy. A legal review of the bill says that many of the country’s most valuable nature spots could lose their protection under the new rules.
What Areas Are in Danger?
The law may affect 5,251 protected areas, also called “jewels in the crown” of nature. These include beautiful and important places like:
- The New Forest
- The Surrey Heaths
- The Peak District Moors
- The Forest of Bowland
- The Itchen River in Hampshire
- The Wensum River in Norfolk
These areas are home to rare animals and birds, such as:
- Nightingales
- Badgers
- Dormice
- Otters
- Butterflies
- Dragonflies
- Kingfishers
- Tufted Ducks
- Egrets
These natural habitats are protected under UK and international laws. However, Labour’s new planning changes could make it easier for builders to get permission to build in these areas.
What Is in the Planning Bill?
Labour says the bill is needed to solve the UK housing crisis. The government has promised to build 1.5 million new homes and approve 150 big infrastructure projects. But experts now warn that these plans may hurt the environment badly.
According to three legal reviews, the new law would weaken current protections. This would mean builders could ignore the harm they may cause to natural areas. Critics say this could lead to production of homes at the cost of wildlife and green spaces.
Why Is This a Big Problem?
Although England has many protected nature sites, they only cover about 8% of the land. This is not a lot. Protecting them should not stop new homes from being built. Instead, experts and charities say new homes can be made without damaging nature.
The Guardian has identified 10 very special nature areas that are most at risk, including:
- Lodge Hill in Kent, one of the last homes of nightingales.
- A 2,600-year-old wetland in South Devon.
- Tipner West in Portsmouth, a tidal wetland of global importance.
- Ancient woodlands in Sittingbourne, Kent – part of the only 2.5% of ancient woods left in the UK.
These places are protected by strong environmental laws, such as:
- Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) – 4,100 sites
- Ramsar Wetlands – 71 sites protected by an international agreement
- Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) – 256 sites
- Special Protection Areas (SPAs) – 824 sites
What Do Legal Experts and Watchdogs Say?
Alex Goodman KC, a respected legal expert, said the bill would mean that harm to protected areas could be ignored by law. He said this would remove the main legal protection these nature spots have enjoyed for decades.
Even the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP), which is the government’s own watchdog, agrees. Glenys Stacey, who leads the OEP, said:
“This bill will reduce the level of environmental protection currently given under existing laws.”
The bill also includes a part where builders can pay a fee into a “nature restoration fund” instead of protecting nature at the building site. This means damage could be done now, and maybe fixed later—but experts warn this may be too late for rare habitats and wildlife.
Growing Pressure on Labour Government
Angela Rayner, Labour’s housing secretary, says the bill is not removing protections. But environmental groups are now threatening legal action. They are asking her to correct her statement, saying she may be misleading Parliament.
There is growing public concern, and many are asking Labour to rethink or remove the part of the bill that allows this to happen.
Daily news highlights: This issue is very important as it may change the future of England’s nature forever. People who care about the environment are calling this a breaking news situation and urging the government to listen.
