
Earthwatch responds to Government’s proposed planning reforms
21st January 2025
The Planning Reform Working Paper
In December 2024, the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government published a Planning Reform Working Paper, as part of wider proposals for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
The Government has committed to building 1.5 million safe and decent homes in England, as well as restoring nature. The Planning Reform Working Paper details proposed reforms to support developers submitting good quality development applications that deliver for both communities and the environment.
The paper details three key steps in this reform:
1. Identifying actions to address environmental impacts through a single strategic assessment and delivery plan, rather than multiple project-specific assessments
2. Holding the state responsible for planning and implementing these strategic actions
3. Allowing impacts to be dealt with strategically in exchange for a financial payment that helps fund strategic actions, so development can proceed more quickly
It was not a formal open consultation (a public process that involves the UK government seeking input from the public on their work). But the Planning Reform Working Paper invited views on its proposal. They have put forward a new approach to how housing and infrastructure can meet environmental obligations and contribute to nature recovery.
Our response
The Government believe these measures will facilitate “a ‘win-win’ for nature and the economy, accelerating economic and environmental growth”.
However, 1 in 3 people in the UK lack access to nature-rich spaces near their homes, and some of the most deprived areas have no natural green space. We are concerned that their approach will mean developers are free to cause unmonitored environmental harm in one location, providing they “offset” this harm in another location.
Nature is important for both society and the environment. Green and blue spaces contribute to positive mental health and wellbeing, as well as providing ecosystem services such as climate regulation.
While funnelling of resources into a centralised “offsetting” location may appear more impactful, in reality it is likely to result in destruction of green spaces for local communities.
You can read our full response to the paper here: