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Labour’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill introduces the concept of a “grey belt,” aiming to reclassify certain Green Belt areas to facilitate housing development.
While intended to address housing shortages, these reforms have raised concerns about potential impacts on biodiversity.
Wildlife organisations highlight that the bill could weaken protections for species such as newts, bats, beavers, dormice, and otters. Additionally, the proposed “nature restoration levy” may allow developers to offset environmental obligations through payments, potentially undermining the mitigation hierarchy and the polluter pays principle.
This seminar will explore the implications of these reforms on biodiversity and discuss strategies to balance housing needs with environmental conservation.
