As it stands the Avon Wildlife Trust has been consulted on these plans and the potential negative consequences for wildlife have been raised.  The reforms to the Bill could mean that this vital stage is missed as plans are rushed through parliament, leaving wildlife to fend for itself. 

As society adapts to climate change these reforms could be hazardous as our natural defences against climate change are lost.

THE NEXT STEP

The reforms to the Planning Bill are going through parliament NOW. So here’s how you can help...

1) Write to your local MP   see example letter (Word doc)
Letters from individuals are very powerful as this is one of the primary routes through which MPs learn about issues that are important to their electorate.

It is important that your MP receives your views as soon as possible so that they can write to the ministers before the Bill completes its passage through Parliament.

Short, handwritten letters are best and should be sent to your local MP at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.

Who is my local MP?
If you know which constituency you live in then follow this link to find your local MP. Who is my MP? (Excel spreadsheet)

OR

You can find the name of your local MP by either telephoning 020 7219 4272 or logging on to www.upmystreet.com/commons/l/ where they can be identified using your postcode.

2) Even better - attend a constituency surgery
MPs hold regular surgeries to meet their constituents and discuss issues affecting them.  You can find out when they are holding constituency surgeries on your MP’s website and book an appointment to discuss the Planning Bill reforms.

3) Tips on contacting your MP
Here are a few key points to make when contacting your MP:

1. The reformed Bill could mean that planning applications by-pass comment from the Avon Wildlife Trust and so could get approval without proper environmental consideration.

2. Inappropriate assessment or comment on major infrastructure developments could harm important natural environment sites and wildlife.

3. By utilising wildlife trust’s expertise on climate change we can ensure that infrastructure projects do not compromise our ability to adapt.

4. Stress that The Wildlife Trusts are asking that the final Bill includes a requirement for Government to produce a National Policy Statement on the natural environment alongside its planned statements on energy, waste, water and transport infrastructure.

Ask your MP to do something specific:

1. Urge your MP to pass on your concerns to the Department for Communities and to the Local Government Minister responsible for these reforms

2. Ask your MP to write to John Healey MP, the Minister responsible for the Bill, urging him to justify how local Wildlife Trusts will be involved in the planning process for future infrastructure projects. 

Further information

Implications of Planning Bill Reform for Avon (Word doc)

Briefing from the Wildlife Trusts (Word doc)