There have been widespread concerns expressed by numerous organisations regarding the UK Government’s announcements in their recently announced Growth Plan. This has been accompanied by significant coverage in many media outlets.

The UK Government has responded to these concerns and a spokesperson said: “Claims we intend to go back on our commitment to the environment are simply not right.

We want every corner of our country to prosper too. Bureaucratic processes in the planning system do not necessarily protect the environment so, by making sure we have the right regulations for our nation, we can make this happen.”

Investment Zones

Many of the concerns have centred around the proposal for Investment Zones in England. These areas will benefit from a liberalised planning process, and includes ‘removing burdensome EU requirements’ and ‘reducing lengthy consultation with statutory bodies.’  The UK Government  published a Nature Recovery Green Paper earlier this year which set out proposals to reform Habitats Regulations. The Nature Recovery Green Paper consultation closed in May and Government is in the process of analysing responses.

The Telegraph said that within Investment Zones ministers would loosen environmental protections, including EU directives that protect newts, toads and bats from developers. The paper also reported that the Government may relax rules around “nutrient neutrality”.

Coverage and Comment

There has been significant media attention focussed on the Growth Plan and what it may mean for the environment, including in the Financial Times, Guardian, Times, the Telegraph, and the i.

As reported in the Guardian there were comments from the largest environmental groups. Some of these included the major environmental NGOs: “Make no mistake, we are angry. This government has today launched an attack on nature” tweeted the RSPB, with the Wildlife Trust stating, “incredibly angry … at the unprecedented attack on nature”.

Hilary McGrady, Director General of the National Trust, said: “Rather than ramp up action to support our environment, this Government appears however to be heading in the opposite direction. Environmental protections are dismissed as ‘burdens’, whilst investment and growth are pitted against nature and climate action.”

In an opinion piece from the Observer, Tony Juniper, the Chair of Natural England and President of the Wildlife Trusts, said that ‘our economic system depends on the natural world. Growth that results in the destruction of nature will, in the end, cease’. There were further comments from Wildlife and Countryside Link, and Rewilding Britain, amongst others.

What does it mean for the water environment?

The Wildfowl and Wetland Trust (WWT) have released a piece which states what is at stake for wetlands and provide an excellent analysis of the proposals and potential impacts. In it they state that ‘If enacted, the Government’s proposals will profoundly affect the ability of the UK to meet some of its most critical commitments. These include:

• Delivering on its landmark 25 Year Environment Plan.
• Meeting its legal target to halt species loss.
• Fulfilling commitments under The Ramsar Convention. The UK delivers this via the extension of protections afforded by the Habitats Regulations.
• Meeting commitments under The Bern Convention. 

The Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) asked ‘is there anything green in the new Government’s Growth Plan?’ the professional body stated that ‘whilst government has so far been coy about any future environmental policy change, indications are that such a determined growth agenda will come at the expense of our natural environment.

They went on to say “The proposed Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill could see the end of basic protections known as the Habitat Regulations – law designed to protect our natural environment and vulnerable wildlife.” Of the proposed Investment Zones, the charity said that they are “incompatible with Biodiversity Net Gain requirements introduced through the Environment Act 2021.”

UK Government’s response

In response, the Environment Secretary Ranil Jayawardena said: “We are not scrapping our reforms. The environment, farming and economic growth go hand-in-hand and we are committed to our schemes that will support our farmers to produce high-quality food and enhance our natural environment.

We are committed to halting the decline of nature by 2030 and will not undermine our obligations to the environment in pursuit of growth.”

The UK Government’s Growth Plan can be found here.