Nature at risk: report warns of ‘evidence black hole’ in Planning Bill - Wildlife & Countryside Link

A new report by Wildlife and Countryside Link, a coalition of 90 nature organisations, has warned that there is no scientific evidence that the proposed “Nature Restoration Levy” will work for most wildlife. Applying the new system to protected species without rigorous evidence and effective field trials would pose serious risks for wildlife.

The proposed “Nature Restoration Levy” would allow housing and infrastructure developers to pay a fee rather than following existing laws to protect habitats and species. The funds would be used to pay for landscape-scale conservation measures in place of existing strict safeguards for individual animals or habitats.

For some environmental issues (such as water pollution and water availability) there is good science and evidence that strategic action at a broader scale can be an effective way to protect nature. However, at present, there is no evidence that the Bill’s approach will work for any protected species, particularly those that are less mobile or reliant on very specific sites or habitats.

Government cites the district level licensing approaches that have been developed or great crested newts as a model. Where these schemes have been taken forward with safeguards in place, there are signs of positive results. However, the Bill is looking at new ways of regulating, funding and delivering compensation measures, which has yet to be proven even for great crested newts, and many important details remain undefined, bringing uncertainty that provide risks for both wildlife and for developers.

The Government has agreed to follow “the best available scientific evidence” in designing new schemes, and the “need to achieve favourable conservation status” for affected wildlife.