This month, I have received a significant number of emails from my constituents about protecting nature in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, particularly after the Lords amendments to the Bill.
While I continue to support some of the principles and ambitions behind the Bill, I remain concerned about several of its provisions and the potential consequences for our towns, villages and natural environment. Reform of the planning system is necessary, but it must not come at the cost of local voices, accountability, or the protection of nature.
The House of Lords has made a number of important improvements to the Bill which represent significant steps towards making the Bill more balanced and environmentally responsible. However, despite these improvements, I remain concerned that the Bill as a whole continues to transfer too much power away from local communities and risks weakening safeguards that protect our natural and built environments. The Government must ensure that environmental protections are not undermined in the pursuit of housing targets, and that local people retain a genuine say in shaping the places where they live.
As the Bill returns to the House of Commons for consideration of the Lords amendments, I will look carefully at these proposals and will continue to press for an approach to planning that delivers the homes and infrastructure we need without sacrificing the environment or sidelining local democracy.
