Charities propose key amendments to strengthen environmental safeguards in new Planning Bill

Last week, The Guardian¹ reported that the newly proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill has been heavily criticised by a coalition of 32 charities – including The Wildlife Trust – for “throwing environmental protections to the wind.”

The group described the legislation as “one-sided” and warned it could allow developers to sidestep vital environmental safeguards, leaving key habitats exposed to unsustainable development.

Now, ahead of the Bill’s committee stage, The Wildlife Trust has backed a series of targeted amendments, which aim to address these concerns:

Key Proposed Amendments

• Timing of conservation measures
  Requires Natural England to set a timetable for the delivery of mitigation, preventing delays that could allow damage before action.
• Ecological evidence requirement
  Ensures that Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) are based on clear ecological data from the outset.
• Significant improvement test
  Strengthens the legal threshold so that EDPs must significantly outweigh the negative impacts of development.
• Mitigation hierarchy compliance
  Makes Nature Restoration Levy payments conditional on developers first applying the established mitigation hierarchy (avoid, minimise, compensate).

This comes at a critical moment for government. While commitment to housing and infrastructure delivery targets remains strong, there is growing pressure for firmer commitments to nature.

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Ministers reaffirm 1.5 million homes target despite OBR doubts

The government insists it is still on track to deliver 1.5 million new homes within this Parliament, despite recent projections to the contrary.

Speaking during a Commons debate on 7 April, Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook defended the target, arguing that the Office for Budget Responsibility's assessment – which found that the government will fall short of targets - does not account for the impact of recent planning reforms such as the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

As reported by Planning Resource³, Pennycook pointed to the proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill as a key lever for accelerating delivery. Shadow housing secretary Angela Rayner echoed the optimism, stating that changes under the bill, alongside updates to the National Planning Policy Framework which came into effect in December, are expected to boost development rates further.

With policy tools stacking up, ministers remain publicly confident - but all eyes will be on delivery as the end of the Parliamentary term draws closer.

Curious how national housing targets and government ambitions measure up against what's actually happening on the ground? Our Market Index Report breaks it down—tracking the real-time impact of policy against planning activity and market trends. Head to our website to explore the latest insights.⁴

Grey belt gridlock? Legal questions halt Solihull plans, as Elmbridge approves a notable scheme

Three major planning decisions concerning green belt sites in Solihull have been deferred, following legal intervention over the newly coined 'grey belt' designation. As reported by Planning Resource⁵, the council received a letter from law firm Shoosmiths, challenging how the authority had applied grey belt assessments to a previous decision.

In response, the Conservative planning committee chair advised a pause on decisions while clarity is sought, stating:

"The new NPPF makes a distinction between a village and a town. We will work through this to get clarity across the borough. In the meantime, we should treat any settlements as towns so that we do not fetter any further the democratic decision on green belt in the review."

The council is expected to clarify its position in the coming months.

Elsewhere, in Elmbridge, a 221-home scheme has been approved on land classed as grey belt, following a detailed review by officers. Satellite imagery supported the site’s classification as previously developed, with a Section 106 agreement securing 50% affordable housing, green space, and transport improvements. Officers concluded the development met the tests in paragraph 155 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which allows some exceptions for building on grey belt land.

However, not all aspects passed the test. The associated provision of a 22-hectare sustainable accessible natural greenspace (SANG) was deemed to impact the openness of the green belt and did not meet exemption criteria.

Grey belt is proving to be a complex and contentious layer to planning policy, with implications still unfolding for councils and developers alike. We endeavour to keep you informed as developments unfold, and for a deeper dive into grey belt, read our recent blog.⁶

1. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/09/planning-bill-throws-environmental-protection-to-wind-uk-nature-chiefs
2. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/sustainability-and-planning
3. https://www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1914148/government-remains-on-course-deliver-15-million-homes-despite-obrs-lower-prediction-says-pennycook
4. https://www.terraquest.co.uk/news-and-insights/the-planning-application-index-q4
5. https://www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1914157/council-defers-decisions-750-green-belt-homes-law-firm-raises-legal-concerns-its-application-new-grey-belt-tests
6. https://www.terraquest.co.uk/news-and-insights/the-evolution-of-a-revolutionary-greybelt-policy