The Planning and Nature Bill

Many constituents have contacted Will to share their views and concerns about the upcoming Planning and Nature Bill. Below is the response Will has been sending to constituents who have written in on this matter, setting out his position and the Liberal Democrats’ approach.

Thank you for getting in touch about the Government’s approach to nature, especially when it comes to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. 

Like you, I am deeply disappointed that this Bill provides only limited measures to boost nature’s recovery and tackle climate change, despite promising in the Labour manifesto that changes to the planning system would “create places that increase climate resilience and promote nature recovery”.

This Bill also fails to ensure 150,000 new social homes are built a year, to build zero carbon homes, and to integrate nature and climate adequately in planning considerations.

My colleague, the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Planning and Housing, Gideon Amos MP tabled 78 amendments to improve the Bill at Committee, and over 50 amendments to the Bill at Report Stage. Unfortunately, the Government did not accept any of these amendments, which was incredibly disappointing. 

A few examples of Gideon’s amendments were to enable the creation of new wildbelt areas and associated ecosystems, and issue guidance regarding the use of provisions of the bill to protect wildbelt areas (including wetlands), and public access to nature, and to require the Secretary of State to introduce regulations to protect and enhance biodiversity in new developments, including the installation of swift bricks, bird boxes and bat boxes in all new developments.

Be assured that the Lib Dems are committed to ensuring that new developments include access to green spaces to support the wellbeing of residents and nature’s recovery, and we will continue to push this in Parliament. 

If there is anything else I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to ask. 

Best wishes,

Will

Will Forster
Member of Parliament for Woking

Will is grateful to everyone who has taken the time to get in touch. Hearing directly from constituents helps inform his work in Parliament and his ongoing engagement with the Government on issues that matter to Woking.