Sun, 16 Nov 2025

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 Nature is not a blocker to housing growth, MPs find

The Environmental Audit Committee found the government's measures are not enough to meet targets.

* A cross-party group of MPs has warned that viewing nature as a blocker to housing growth risks missing both housing and nature targets.
* The Planning and Infrastructure Bill overrides existing habitat protections, but the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) found this is not enough to meet the government's goals.
* The EAC argued that nature is a necessity for building resilient neighbourhoods, rather than a barrier to housebuilding.
* The report suggested offering people better incentives to build and live in "carbon-friendly homes" or retrofit existing ones.
* Environmental group Friends of the Earth criticized the Planning & Infrastructure Bill as bad legislation that fails to provide quality homes or protect nature.
* The Ministry of Housing spokesperson said the government is fixing a failing system with landmark reforms, including the Nature Restoration Fund, which will create a win-win for the economy and environment.
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