Housing development under construction. Potton, Bedfordshire, England

Land-use planning

Land-use planning helps to secure sustainable development.

It determines the location and design of buildings such as housing, industry, retail and leisure developments. It also helps to protect the countryside, and it shapes the future of where we live.

Planning reform

Stonechat (saxicola torquata) South Stack RSPB reserve, Wales
We comment on plans and individual development projects that may have significant impacts on birds and biodiversity.
Learn more

Environmental assessment

Cooling towers at the coal fired power station at Ratcliffe-on-Soar, Nottinghamshire.
Environmental assessment is a general term for processes that help to ensure potential threats to the natural world from new developments are properly identified and minimised.
Learn more

In this section

Redshank Tringa totanus, in breeding plumage, Geltsdale RSPB reserve, Cumbria

Planning naturally

Good land use planning has a key role in the RSPB's mission to save nature.
Dartford warbler, Arne RSPB reserve, Dorset

The RSPB and planning

New development can have a damaging effect on birds, other wildlife and the environment.
Visitor centre, RSPB Pulborough Brooks, West Sussex

Sustainable homes and buildings

We want new developments to be sustainable, enhancing the environment rather than causing a negative impact.
Agriculture around Lough Foyle, set-aside at Black Brae

Green infrastructure

To ensure species’ resilience and adaptation to climate change, we need to do more conservation - now.
The reedy fringe of Elney Lake, at Fen Drayton RSPB reserve, Cambridgeshire, England. February 2007.

Minerals planning

Delivering wildlife benefits through minerals planning.
Pink footed geese Anser brachyrhyncus, in flight past wind turbines, Near Diepholz, Lower Saxony, Germany,

Spatial Planning Guides

Guides to alert developers to areas of ecological sensitivity.
Causeymire Wind Farm, Achkeepster, Caithness, Highland region, Scotland

Document library

Here you'll find our planning reports, briefings and consultation responses.
Bittern Botaurus stellaris, among reeds, Lee Valley

Planning awards

We've won various planning awards after turning old minerals sites into reedbeds for bitterns alongside other projects.