Lib Dems: Conservatives face vote on “hypocritical” Environment Bill

The Conservatives long delayed Environment Bill will face amendments from the Liberal Democrats to protect green spaces and wildlife after falling short on local environment protections.

The Lib Dems have accused the Government of ‘outright hypocrisy’ after proposing a mass change to planning law which would allow developers to cause damage to nature habitats alongside the Environment Bill being debated today. The Bill would deny Councils the ability to block new developments for environmental reasons.

The Liberal Democrats will hold a vote in Parliament to give greater powers to Councils to save the environment from reckless developments.

Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney who tabled the amendment, said:

“It is outright hypocrisy if the Conservatives think their Environment Bill will protect the environment. Under their proposals and new Planning Law, reckless developers could pave over vast expanses of green land and cause untold damage to our environment.

“We should have expected nothing less from a party which has taken over £11 million in donations from developers. The Conservatives' plans would rip power away from communities and silence local environmental groups to allow developers to build as they please.

“My amendment will give real teeth to the currently toothless Environment Bill and arm Councils with the power to protect wildlife and green spaces. Liberal Democrats believe in protecting our environment, rather than bulldozing and concreting over it.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Environment Bill creates “Local Nature Recovery Strategies” which all councils will have to produce, similar to a Local Plan. These strategies will include mapping habitats, identifying protected areas and setting out a biodiversity strategy for the area. These strategies have been piloted in six areas, including Buckinghamshire.

However, these strategies will be largely toothless. Our amendment will require local authorities to consider these strategies when considering developments - important in the face of the Tories proposed planning reform.

Full text of the amendment:

Amendment 29

Clause 95, page 97, line 1, leave out subsection (5) and insert—

“(5) After subsection (2) insert—

“(2A)The authority must act in accordance with any relevant local nature recovery strategy in the exercise of relevant functions, including—

(a) land use planning and planning decisions;

(b) spending decisions, including land management payments;

(c) delivery of biodiversity gain; and

(d) any other activities undertaken in complying with subsections (1) and (1A).””

Member’s explanatory statement

This amendment would require public authorities to exercise relevant functions in accordance with Local Nature Recovery Strategies. This would ensure that decisions that affect the natural environment such as planning decisions, net gain habitat enhancements and targeted investment in environmental land management are informed by the Strategies.