The controversy surrounding the government's Planning and Infrastructure Bill continues to grow.

Craig Bennett, Chief Executive of the Wildlife Trusts, says:

'The Government's Planning & Infrastructure Bill, in its current form, fundamentally undermines its commitment to protect nature. The so-called Nature Recovery part of the Bill is a Trojan horse - it's a misnomer because, in reality, it is a licence to destroy. It replaces vital nature protections with a weaker substitute, and has been described by the Government's own nature watchdog as 'environmentally regressive' because it puts irreplaceable habitats and threatened species at risk.

Beccy Speight, Chief Executive of the RSPB, says:

"Despite engaging in good faith with the UK Government for many months, it's now clear that the Bill in its current form will rip the heart out of environmental protections and risks sending nature further into freefall.

The wild spaces, ancient woodlands, babbling brooks and the beautiful melody of the dawn chorus - it's these natural wonders that delight people all over the country and support our physical and mental health that are under threat. That cannot be allowed to stand. 

"The evidence clearly shows nature isn't a blocker to growth. The government has identified the wrong obstacle to the problem it's trying to overcome, and that has led it to the wrong solutions. With no meaningful amendment in sight, the complete removal of Part 3 of the Bill is the only responsible option left."

The government's assertion that protections for species such as bats and newts are blocking the building of new homes has been shown to be false. In 2024, bats and newts were a factor in just 3% of planning appeal decisions.

Swift Bricks

Meanwhile, the campaign to include a provision within the Bill for a swift brick to be built into every new build home, at negligible cost, has been rejected by the government. Matthew Pennycook, the housing minister, has stated: '"We are not convinced that legislating to mandate the use of specific wildlife features is the right approach, whether that is done through building regulations or a freestanding legal requirement." Why the government is unconvinced is not clear.

In Crediton, there are very few swifts around this year.

Time to get writing

 You can use this handy template to e-mail our MP and the Chancellor Rachel Reeves, to express your concerns about the Bill.

If you want to write to Matthew Pennycock to challenge the government's decision on swift bricks, it seems that rather than use his MP's email address, one should use the template on this link. No harm in doing both, I guess.

John Craythorne