MPs Warn: Viewing Nature as Barrier to Housing Growth Risks Missing Key Targets

A cross-party group of MPs has warned that the government risks missing its housing and nature targets if it views nature as a barrier to housing growth. The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) published a report on Sunday, stating that the measures outlined in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill are not enough to allow the government to meet its goals. According to the report, the bill overrides existing habitat protections, which the government has suggested is a barrier to its target to build 1.5 million houses by the end of this parliament. However, the EAC found that the measures outlined in the bill are insufficient to achieve this goal. "Using nature as a scapegoat means that the government will be less effective at tackling some of the genuine challenges facing the planning system," the report said. A Ministry of Housing spokesperson responded to the report, stating that the government is fixing a failing system with landmark reforms, which will deliver a win-win for the economy and the environment. The Labour government has promised to build 1.5 million new homes in England by 2029 as part of efforts to solve the housing crisis and boost economic growth. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill is a key component of the government's housing reforms, which aim to streamline the planning process and increase the supply of new homes. However, critics argue that the bill's measures do not go far enough to address the root causes of the housing crisis. "The government's approach to housing is overly simplistic and fails to address the complex issues surrounding the planning system," said a spokesperson for the Campaign to Protect Rural England. The EAC report highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to housing and nature, one that balances the need for new homes with the need to protect the environment. The report recommends that the government adopt a more sustainable approach to development, one that prioritizes green infrastructure and minimizes the impact on the natural environment. The current status of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill is that it has been introduced to Parliament, but it has not yet been debated or voted on. The bill is expected to be the subject of intense scrutiny and debate in the coming weeks, as MPs consider the implications of its measures for the housing market and the environment.