Member

Finally, subsection (c) of the proposed new purpose clause seeks to ensure that the Bill supports nature recovery through more effective development and restoration. This is particularly relevant to Part 3 of the Bill, which has prompted widespread concern. A remarkably broad coalition, including the National Trust, the NFU, the RSPB, the Wildlife Trusts, the CLA and the CPRE, have voiced serious reservations. Even the potential beneficiaries of these reforms have expressed unease. Part 3 risks weakening vital environmental protections at a time when we should be strengthening them. Rather than addressing what is not working, it introduces new uncertainties and, potentially, new problems. The proposed nature recovery fund must not become a vehicle for administrative overheads, or a centralised pot disconnected from local needs. Yet, as drafted, there is no guarantee that the money will remain local, no clear commitment to green infrastructure and no adherence to the mitigation hierarchy—these are serious omissions.