RSPB Chief Executive sets out vision at Future Homes Conference. Find out how planning reform could be a win-win.
The Future Homes Conference held in Westminster, London, on 4 December brought together housebuilders, planners, local government, energy companies and others from across the industry. Here, RSPB Chief Executive Beccy Speight called for nature to be at the heart of the planning system.
Beccy explained: “With nature at the heart of an effective planning system, we can ensure that we deliver the green energy we need and build affordable new homes, whilst building resilience to our changing climate to protect people and nature in our towns, cities and countryside.”
The conference comes at a time when the UK Government is seeking to overhaul the existing planning rules in England. This is to help Labour deliver on its promise of 1.5 million new homes by 2029 and will mean an extensive building programme and an urgent roll out of green energy. But it has to happen in the right place and in the right way, so our most important places for wildlife remain protected.
Recognising the different demands on land in England – from the wild spaces we need for nature and people, to food production and land for homes and renewable energy – Beccy stressed that solutions do exist to tackling these complex problems together. She also warned against pitching the debate as a conflict between environmentalists and developers.
Beccy said: “Our planning system should be the vehicle for managing these tensions. A long-term view means we can avert the damaging effects of continued climate change and nature loss, whilst helping our country, businesses, communities and wildlife to flourish. We can and must do both.”
Beccy urged the Government to reform the planning system in a way that speeds up the restoration of nature and the rollout of new homes and renewable energy. She outlined the RSPB’s three key asks:
We would like the UK Government to put nature at the heart of the planning system in England. This means making sure development takes place in the right location and is built in the right way, with more of our most important places for wildlife protected. We want to see the UK Government develop a National Spatial Plan so there’s a strategic approach to where we should develop and where we need to protect, helping to minimise harm to nature.
Increase funding so we have a planning process which works for people and nature. This means supporting local authorities and agencies like Natural England and the Environment Agency, so they have the resources to work swiftly and efficiently to speed up delivery, but always with nature in mind.
We're urging the UK Government to ensure new housing developments and infrastructure have high quality, nature filled greenspace and wildlife-friendly features included in the design, so communities can access and enjoy the proven benefits of nature.
For example, housing developments with wildlife-friendly features like Swift boxes, new ponds and Hedgehog highways, so communities can access and enjoy wildlife close at hand. Another would be planning in natural solutions to climate change, such as reducing the risk of homes flooding by creating wetlands and planting the right trees in the right places.
The UK is one of the most nature depleted places on earth. In the last 50 years we’ve seen 38 million birds vanish from our skies, and many UK species are in decline. These planning reforms presents us with a rare opportunity to create places that work for both people and nature. We know that we can make space for our wildlife, build new homes and have greener energy. That’s why it’s vital we put nature at the heart of any planning reforms.
Stand with us for people and wildlife, by contacting your MP today to let them know that nature needs to be at the heart of planning. It’s quick and easy to do.
