Here you will find our response to the UK Government’s consultation on Proposed Reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework.
This response was coordinated by our England Policy Working Group and our Strategic Policy Panel.
Key Points:
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- Cross-Boundary Cooperation: CIEEM supports amendments to the NPPF to strengthen cooperation on planning across local authorities, especially regarding the natural environment. Development should be aligned with Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs), but an overarching Land Use Framework must be published to allow for the integration of development, environmental and economic goals.
- Brownfield Passports: CIEEM does not support the automatic approval for development on brownfield land, as these areas can have significant ecological value, and should be approached on a case-by-case basis.
- High-Performing Green Belts: CIEEM urges that the core definition of Green Belt land should evolve to support habitat restoration, ecosystem services, and nature-based solutions. Additional measures should be taken to protect areas of ecological importance in both Green and Grey Belt land.
- Renewable Energy and Green Infrastructure: CIEEM supports the push for more renewable energy sources, however, this must not come at the expense of nature recovery, which should be prioritized alongside infrastructure developments and renewable energy projects. We call for stronger protections for critical carbon-sequestering habitats as a route for the UK to meet its climate targets.
- Public Sector Capacity: There is a serious capacity issue within the public sector, particularly within local authorities and environmental agencies, which must be addressed if nature restoration goals are to be met. The loss of expertise and scientific capacity due to underfunding has created an environment where the UK will struggle to hit its nature restoration goals. CIEEM urges the government to invest in building long-term ecological planning capacity.
- Integrating Nature: A new Land Use Framework is needed that integrates development, food production and nature restoration to ensure that these sectors support one another instead of coming into conflict. All planning for nature should follow the Lawton Principles of “bigger, better, more joined up” to promote better habitat connectivity and create environments where nature can thrive.