The UK government's proposed environmental delivery plans (EDPs) have sparked intense debate and concern among conservationists, scientists, and environmentalists. These plans, introduced through the Planning and Infrastructure Act, allow developers to bypass environmental laws by paying a fee into a national nature levy, potentially as low as £1. This has led to a wave of criticism and calls for immediate action from prominent figures and organizations.
The letter, signed by over 100 individuals and businesses, including actor and writer Stephen Fry and broadcaster Chris Packham, urges incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham to halt the rollout of EDPs. The letter highlights the potential reversal of decades of biodiversity protections, emphasizing the need for these safeguards now more than ever. The global attack on nature, as warned by the Joint Intelligence Committee, threatens the UK's national security and food supply, making the current plans all the more concerning.
One of the key issues raised is the lack of consultation and the unchecked power it grants to ministers. Planning lawyer Alexa Culver, in a submission to the House of Lords, expressed serious concerns about the regulations. She argues that the secretary of state could change the payment rate for an EDP at any time without consulting Natural England or the developer, potentially setting the price of environmental destruction unreasonably low.
The potential consequences are dire, with England facing the risk of becoming Europe's 'bargain basement' in terms of environmental standards. The plans disapply protections derived from the EU habitats directive, which every EU member state still applies in full. This means English developers could face significantly lower environmental costs compared to their European counterparts, creating an unfair advantage.
The criticism extends to the Labour government's commitment to restoring 30% of land for nature by 2030. Ben Goldsmith, a financier and environmentalist, and Dale Vince, a Labour donor and green energy industrialist, both signed the letter, expressing disappointment in the government's apparent lack of ambition and commitment to environmental restoration.
The government, however, defends its position, stating that the status quo is not working and that EDPs will secure better environmental outcomes. They aim to prevent harm to existing habitats and species while actively restoring and improving them. Yet, the concerns raised by experts and the public call for a more cautious and comprehensive approach to environmental policy, emphasizing the need for a balanced and sustainable development strategy.
