Member

First, it would resolve the principal obstacles identified by developers that they say are getting in the way of development. These are the primary ones they are concerned about. Secondly, it would reassure developers who are worried about damage to their reputation; this part of the Bill is now being seen increasingly by developers as potentially damaging for responsible developers. Thirdly, it would reduce or remove the chilling effect that the proposed legislation has already had on private sector habitat and species market-based schemes, which the noble Lord, Lord Roborough, expressed concern about. Fourthly, it would enable Natural England to cut its teeth on a manageable number of EDPs, meeting the most important barriers to development without overwhelming and overstretching it. Valuable experience would be gained, which could be used in any future extension of the EDP process. It would mean that we would move forward in a calm and rational fashion. Fifthly, early EDPs dealing with the issues that most lend themselves to this approach would allow for a considered judgment as to whether this complex new process indeed speeds up planning for developers. Many commentators have judged EDPs to be yet another layer of considerable complexity, with developers still having to deal with the features not covered by the EDP using the current and established habitat regulations processes.