FEARS years of work boosting nature and biodiversity across the district could be undone have prompted councillors to write to the prime minister.
Members of Warwick District Council are calling for changes to the new planning and infrastructure bill currently going through parliament.
With the emerging South Warwickshire Local Plan requiring land for over 50,000 new homes, councillors expressed serious concern at a recent meeting that the Bill, as currently drafted, could give developers a green light to build without proper safeguards for biodiversity, green space, and community input.
The council motion put forward by councillors Kyn Aizlewood and Will Roberts highlights specific risks, including proposals to remove requirements for on-site ecological surveys, allow environmental contributions to be reduced based on profitability, undermine the role of local councils in planning decisions and create confusion with existing Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) rules.
The councillors also warned that these changes could severely impact local habitats and wildlife corridors, directly threatening green spaces like Eagle Recreation Ground in Leamington.
Coun Aizlewood said: “This Bill risks undoing years of good work. Our council has led the way with a successful Biodiversity Action Plan, but if developers are allowed to bypass local oversight and environmental standards, those gains could be lost.”
Deputy leader Coun Chris King added: “While our council supports well-planned, sustainable development, it’s important that we add our voice to other authorities across England who have already expressed their fears about the bill. Our wish is for joined-up, transparent systems that protect nature while delivering new homes.”
In passing the motion WDC agreed to write to prime minister Keir Starmer and relevant secretaries of state demanding key environmental protections are retained and urge local MPs to oppose the Bill unless amended.
They also called on residents and councillors to sign a national petition.
Visit petition.parliament.uk/petitions/726174 to sign.
