The UK is one of the most nature depleted places on earth. We’ve already lost so much of our wildlife and wild places. In the last 50 years we’ve seen 38 million birds vanish from our skies. But the good news is we can build new homes, have greener energy and make space for our wildlife by taking these steps:
(1) Make 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 from both direct and indirect damage. We want to see 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.
(2) Build nature into planning from the start, at the design stage. For example, housing developments with greenspace and wildlife-friendly features like swift boxes, new ponds and hedgehog highways included in the design, so communities can access and enjoy amazing 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.
(3) 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.