MPs should use the holidays to reconnect with nature
4 min read
With new planning laws on the horizon, MPs should make time over summer to appreciate nature and return to Parliament ready to defend it.
The challenges of balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability have never been more pressing. Declining biodiversity and the accelerating impacts of climate change require decision-makers who understand nature is not a luxury, but our life support system.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill is poised to shape how we build and whether we protect what matters. It could provide the foundation for a greener, healthier future – but not if Labour embarks on a crusade for growth at any cost. Recent debates on the Bill provide a stark reminder of what’s at stake.
There’s a growing belief in some corners of Westminster that environmental protections are somehow an obstacle to progress. Framing nature as a barrier to growth and development is not only inaccurate, but dangerous.
This narrative reveals a fundamental misunderstanding, or wilful neglect, of the evidence: that thriving natural ecosystems are essential for long-term economic stability and public health.
Misleading language hasn’t been confined to the margins. The Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Chancellor have all made remarks that environmental protections and species conservation are obstructing development. Newts, bats, jumping spiders and even snails have been singled out, undermining positive steps Labour is taking elsewhere to address environmental problems. Policies to tackle water pollution and increase forest cover are welcome, but not if they serve to distract from environmental harm caused through irresponsible planning.
A Treasury review reported that sustainable economic growth and development requires us to take a different path. The Office for Environmental Protection has warned that the planning reforms risk weakening UK environmental law. While bulldozing planning laws may fast-track some projects and provide a short-term financial boost, in doing so it destroys the foundation of a healthy economy.
The idea that we need to choose between nature and prosperity is false. It’s a lazy argument that disregards the urgent need for nature restoration and climate action – and means that nature loses every time. If MPs allow the narrative of ‘builders vs blockers’ to dominate, everyone, including all future generations, will pay the price.
As MPs return to their constituencies over the summer, we urge them to witness firsthand the beauty and value of nature. Whether it’s visiting a woodland, the coast or a local park, time spent in nature can reignite a sense of environmental responsibility. They should also remember that, for all the UK’s natural beauty, we live in one of the most nature-depleted countries on earth. Planning reforms that harm nature will not make that any better.
For MPs who want to enrich their environmental knowledge, we recommend nature-themed summer reading. “The Overstory” by Richard Powers, “The Hidden Life of Trees” by Peter Wohlleben, and “Losing Eden” by Lucy Jones illuminate the deep connections between people and nature, providing essential insights for anyone involved in shaping policies that affect the environment.
Voters care about nature and, across the country, support for strong environmental protections remains high. The public doesn’t want a race to the bottom. They want quality homes with easy access to nature, and where planning laws also support climate action and wildlife recovery.
That’s the kind of ‘win-win’ Ministers talk about but are still failing to ensure with their nature-harming Planning Bill.
As Labour prepares for the party conference season and COP30, it must set out a clear, nature-rich agenda – reaffirming the promises in its election manifesto. Will it commit to world-leading environmental standards or chose to continue the false narrative that pits growth against nature?
The summer offers not just a political break, but a moment for political responsibility. Ultimately, decisions made this autumn could set the tone for decades.
When MPs return to Parliament, they must be ready to speak up – not just for new houses and a much-needed upgrade in the nation's infrastructure, but for a break from decades of development that has neglected to put nature first.
Without political courage to do things right, in line with a long-term vision, there is no credible path to a sustainable and prosperous future.
Paul de Zylva is a nature campaigner at Friends of the Earth
