“Focus on getting things built and stop worrying about the bats and the newts”
This was the message from Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, in her speech at Oxford last week, where she laid out her strategy to ‘kickstart economic growth’. Among the key points of her speech were the government’s commitment to expanding several airports—starting with the construction of a third runway at Heathrow—and the plan to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years.
Growth is important. We need homes, roads and infrastructure. But If we don’t plan with nature in mind, we risk losing the very landscapes and wildlife that make our communities special.
In responding to Rachel Reeves’ announcements, Brian Eversham, Chief Executive of the Beds, Cambs, and Northants Wildlife Trust, believes there’s a better way. He supports development—but only when it’s done responsibly. That means planning in a way that protects and restores nature, not just squeezing wildlife into whatever space is left over.
There are already great examples of this working, like Trumpington Meadows and Cambourne in Cambridgeshire. These developments have been designed with nature in mind, proving that we don’t have to choose between new homes and a healthy environment.
But here’s the problem: our region is losing nature at an alarming rate. Wildlife is struggling, and simply keeping things as they are isn’t enough. We need to actively help nature recover.
The good news? We can. If we choose to include green spaces, restore habitats and protect biodiversity—growth can be a force for good. It’s not about stopping development; it’s about doing it right.
Brian Eversham goes on to say: “Any focus on growth in our region needs to begin with an understanding of the environmental limits we are already breaching. Water supply for people and wildlife is a major challenge, and needs real, rather than paper, solutions. The government must not push for growth at any cost. They must ensure that the environment we rely on for our own wellbeing is properly protected and enhanced alongside growth so that it is truly sustainable for all of us.”
The Nature Restoration Fund: Genuine green effort or loophole for developers?
In January 2025, the UK government announced plans to establish a new Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) designed to speed up infrastructure projects and help developers meet environmental standards more easily. The idea is to gather contributions from developers to fund bigger, more strategic projects that protect nature, reducing the need for individual assessments on each development site.
However, some environmental groups are worried that this could turn into a “pay-to-destroy” system. Instead of requiring developers to make changes on-site to protect nature, they could just pay money to offset their impact. Critics argue that this could weaken real conservation efforts and end up damaging natural habitats even further.
Future land use: Can we get economic growth and green spaces right?
Environmental groups have voiced concerns that the government is prioritizing growth over climate goals, especially the target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. Critics worry that economic expansion might come at the expense of environmental protection.
However, the Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, has strongly defended the idea that nature is not only a priority but a vital part of the economy. He said, “This is a government that is absolutely committed to protecting and restoring nature. It runs through all of the plan for change, the government’s plans, and it is present in all of the missions, it’s in all the speeches. We are working on common sense changes that create a win-win for nature and the economy, and the land use framework is a significant part of that.”
A central element of this vision is the Land Use Framework (LUF), which aims to improve spatial planning and manage the competing demands on land, including agriculture, housing, energy, infrastructure, nature recovery, and climate action. While the framework seeks to support economic growth, meet environmental commitments and ensure food security, it does not intend to replace the current planning system. However, it appears to lack clarity on how large-scale solar projects will be addressed, particularly regarding the use of high-quality farmland.
The government launched its 12-week consultation of the LFU on 31 January and will seek views from farmers, landowners, businesses and nature groups. Read it for yourself here.
As the government pushes ahead, it seems that they are trying to make nature an integral part of their long-term planning. The question remains—will this approach deliver on the promises of both economic growth and environmental protection?