Tell Government to preserve nature protections
Woods and trees must be valued and kept safe from development.
Contact your MPDon’t let new planning laws cost the earth
Government plans could leave woods, trees and other important habitats vulnerable to destruction for development if we don’t speak up. Tell your MP that nature should be protected and restored.
Protections for important woods, trees and wildlife are in danger if the Government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill goes ahead in its current state. These ecosystems provide vital biodiversity, store carbon, and enrich our landscapes and our lives, but it’s all at risk if crucial regulations are watered down. Tell your MP how important nature is to you and urge them to speak up for important habitats today.
What is the Planning and Infrastructure Bill?
In March, the UK Government introduced the Planning and Infrastructure Bill – new legislation to accelerate the delivery of infrastructure, renewable energy, and 1.5 million homes by 2029.
Nature is a necessity, not a luxury
In its current form the bill weakens long-standing protections for nature in order to prioritise development. Growth is important, but it cannot be at the expense of the natural world we all depend on. The UK is already one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.
1 in 6 species
in Great Britain is at risk of extinction
151 species
that once thrived in the UK have been lost
19% decline
in UK species populations on average since 1970
Our irreplaceable habitats must be protected
Ancient woodlands cover just 2.4% of the UK. Their complex biodiversity has developed over centuries, making them irreplaceable. If we lose them, they are gone for good.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill threatens to reduce the protections for natural ecosystems, like ancient woodland, which are already under threat. Current plans include removing the requirement to survey for particular species, or apply for a protected species licence. Although measures are suggested to replace these requirements, they don’t go far enough and leave nature vulnerable.
Did you know?
Air pollution removal by vegetation is worth £12bn to the UK economy.
Critical infrastructure we can't live without
Trees and woods are critical infrastructure that support communities and improve quality of life for millions of people daily. They are havens for wildlife, improve our wellbeing, clean our air, cool our neighbourhoods, and so much more. They work silently day and night to make our streets healthier, our towns and cities more vibrant, and our ecosystems more resilient.
Urge Government to keep woods and trees safe from development
We’re urging the Government to:
- hold the line and maintain existing legal protections for nature.
- recognise the irreplaceable. Destroying ancient woodlands and veteran trees is always unacceptable.
- plan for recovery by embedding ambitious nature restoration into planning and land use.
- build with nature and treat trees and woodlands as vital infrastructure, not optional extras.
Help ensure the Planning and Infrastructure Bill doesn’t cost the earth. Use our simple template to urge your MP to protect irreplaceable habitats and treat them as vital national infrastructure.