Conservation groups raise fears over biodiversity rollback
The Wildlife Trusts have warned that a rollback of the UK’s Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) risks economic loss and nature decline. Fears have been raised following a consultation launched by Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) this summer, during which exemption proposals, which would reduce Biodiversity Net Gain requirements from the majority of developments, were assessed.
The proposals mean that smaller home developments (those of up to 9 homes) as well as a new ‘medium sized’ category of homes (10-49 homes)[i] could be faced with far less stringent BNG requirements than larger developments. Smaller sites presently account for roughly 70% of residential planning applications each year, and The Wildlife Trusts argue that the proposed exemptions not only threaten wildlife and greenspaces, but will also undermine economic growth.
The NGO has found through its own research that with fewer exemptions, an improved BNG market would support a total of £250 million in economic activity annually. Further it would sustain over 2,450 full-time jobs a year, and The Wildlife Trusts note that these economic benefits, including new jobs, would provide a particular boost to rural areas.
Budget backlash
Concerns have been raised ahead of tomorrow’s budget, in which Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announce measures to bolster the Labour Government’s housebuilding drive, as well as address a growing economic shortfall.
In a statement, Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, has said: “As the budget looms and the Government seeks out opportunities to boost our economy, undermining plans to expand the private sector’s role in contributing to nature’s recovery would be absurd”[ii].
He adds: “It beggars belief that the Government would even be considering such a move, putting jobs and investment at risk in the growing nature recovery sector, when study after study has proven that nature underpins our economy’s ability to function and be resilient to future shocks”
“Rachel Reeves seems stuck in a 1970s mindset, that continues to pit nature against growth at the expense of both. This is a false choice that threatens nature while also putting new jobs and millions in investment at risk too.”[iii]
The proposed changes to BNG coincide with the Labour Governments Planning and Infrastructure Bill currently making its way through Parliament. The bill was heavily criticised by NGOs at the time of its introduction given it proposed reducing the requirement for developers to conduct environmental impact assessments, as well as the production of plans to mitigate negative impacts locally.
Beccy Speight, CEO of the RSPB has said: “Nature is in freefall. Wildlife that once thrived across England is now confined to reserves, stripped from our everyday lives. We’re losing something precious, something vital to our health and wellbeing. backwards. This isn’t acceptable to us, or our 1.2 million members. Government must stop scapegoating nature for economic woes – bats and newts account for just 3.3% of planning appeals. The real barriers are poor policy, land banking and skills shortages.”[iv]
It follows research released in September this year which suggests that nature loss could shrink the UK economy by as much as 5 percent this decade. The study from the Green Finance Institute (GFI) and the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) revealed that “a degraded natural environment is negatively impacting businesses across the UK and therefore hindering economic growth”[v]. It found that continued nature degradation, exacerbated by climate change, could lead to a 4.7% reduction to UK GDP by 2030 – outweighing gains from current growth initiatives[vi].
References
[i] Planning Reform Working Paper: Reforming Site Thresholds - GOV.UK
[iii] Ibid
[iv] RSPB and Wildlife Trusts warn of 'perfect storm' for nature | Sussex Wildlife Trust
[vi] Nature loss could shrink the UK economy by as much as 5 percent this decade
