CIEEM engages with parliamentarians on Planning and Infrastructure Bill

On Tuesday this week, 2 September 2025, CIEEM hosted an evening of discussion kindly sponsored by Baroness Barbara Young of Old Scone between ten parliamentarians from across the political spectrum and experts in the fields of ecology, planning and development on solutions to both allowing faster development and restoring nature. The event was chaired by CIEEM President, Penny Lewns.

CIEEM President Penny Lewns, and CIEEM Patron and event sponsor Baroness Barbara Young of Old Scone

The discussion focused on the planning system in England, and in particular on scrutinising the Government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill and its implications for nature recovery, ecological expertise, and for developers. All present raised strong concerns about Part 3 of the Bill, which was widely viewed as risking regression in environmental protection and undermining confidence in the planning system. While all agreed on the issues present within the Bill, attendees also highlighted the wider issues that must be factored in, such as poor implementation and application of current policy and regulations, the chronic shortage of ecological expertise within local authorities and statutory bodies, and the challenges for developers in navigating the Environmental Delivery Plans and levies proposed within the Bill itself.

CIEEM’s recently published amendments – along with others tabled by Peers in attendance – were discussed at the event, and we are pleased that Baroness Young has tabled amendments 1–6 of CIEEM’s amendments on our behalf for the Committee Stage of the Bill. These tabled amendments were welcomed as constructive proposals to reduce the impact of Part 3 on nature while ensuring accountability, evidence-based decision-making, and proportionate mitigation.

More broadly, there was discussion on the need for both the Government and the ecology sector to have a vision for the future – something to work towards rather than fight against – to address the interlinked crises of climate change, nature loss and inequality. Ecological literacy in both the Government and the general public was raised as an issue that those around the table felt CIEEM could be more involved with.

Public concern for climate and biodiversity is high, new MPs are increasingly engaged on environmental issues, and there is scope for ecologists, developers, industry and NGOs to work together in support of nature-positive planning.

CIEEM, and all those present at the discussion, are committed to continuing this process of building alliances across parliament, industry, and the environmental sector to ensure that our work is genuinely supporting both sustainable development and the recovery of nature.