Planning and Infrastructure Bill

Thank you to everyone who has taken part in our campaigns to reduce the risks the Planning & Infrastructure Bill poses to nature. Over 40,000 messages have been sent to MPs, calling on UK Government to protect nature through the Bill.

Despite all this, we’ve been incredibly frustrated to see the Government whip Labour MPs to vote against important amendments that were added by the House of Lords.

This means the Bill will become law – through a process known as receiving Royal Assent - very soon. There will be no further debate or votes.  

All the energy our supporters gave to our campaign to improve the Bill were recorded by MPs. The messages MPs received did help secure some positive aspects to the Bill, which will benefit nature.  

The fight isn't over. We will continue to stand up for nature, with your help.

Read our blog post explaining more
 

The process of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill

In response to huge pressure the Government amended the Bill to add some environmental safeguards in July. In October the Lords voted to add important protections for chalk streams (amendment 94) to the Bill. Crucially, the Lords also voted to back amendment 130, which would prevent Part 3 of the Bill applying in areas where it could hurt wildlife. 

On 10th November, both amendments returned to the Commons. They were given new numbers for this stage, which we will refer to in brackets after the Lords amendment number. Over 30,000 of our supporters emailed their MPs asking them to retain amendment 130 (now amendment 40) and amendment 94 (now amendment 38).

On 13th November, despite some great speeches from MPs of all parties backing the amendments, the Government whipped its supporters in the Commons to reject both amendments. 

On 24th November, the Bill returned to the Lords. Despite valiant efforts by nature champions in the House of Lords, the Government bulldozed the wildlife-harming Bill through its last remaining hurdles. 

We are grateful for the incredible number of emails nature-lovers have sent to MPs and encourage people to keep going. 

We will hold Ministers to their concessions and commitments that the implementation of the Bill will not cause undue harm to nature.

Nature needs us to keep fighting. 

Ahead of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill returning to the Commons, The Wildlife Trusts have produced a briefing for Commons consideration of Lords amendments, alongside an explainer document of amendment 130. 

Briefing for Commons consideration of Lords amendments

Explainer document: what is amendment 130?

Briefings from earlier stages of the Bill
 

Lords Report Stage briefing: 23.10.25

Lords Report Stage briefing: 17.10.25

Commons Report Stage briefing

Lords Second Reading briefing

Lords Committee Stage briefing

Chalk streams briefing

The Wildlife Trusts have created a useful FAQ page to address any concerns and questions regarding the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, written May 2025.

Read the FAQs

Nick explains why the proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill could be so damaging for nature if it's not amended.

He also shares a huge thank you to everyone who signed our open letter and asks supporters to contact their MP.

Read the blogs and news articles that have been created throughout this campaign to explain developments. They are in order of date, newest first.

Biodiversity Net Gain benefits are being put at risk by new proposals from UK Government which would mean the vast majority of new developments will be exempt from this process. That’s bad for wildlife, and also bad for people. 

In July 2025 the public consultation closed. Over 13,000 of you responded to the consultation, opposing these proposals and making sure the Government understands that development can and should help nature's recovery.

 Find out more.