URGENT: Planning bill threatens bat conservation – ACT NOW

We are reaching out to you at a critical moment for bat conservation in England. Last week, the government published the long-anticipated Planning and Infrastructure Bill, and its proposals could have devastating consequences for bats, other wildlife, their habitats and protected sites.

The government is blaming bats for blocking development, but the real issue is a failure to plan for nature and people. The Bill threatens to strip away key protections and undermine decades of conservation progress.

We gave an initial response on Monday after the government’s damaging rhetoric was ramped up and they specifically claimed bats are the cause of housing and infrastructure project delays.

The Bill is fundamentally flawed and not fit for purpose. While we are still analysing its full impact, we already have serious concerns about its impact if it goes forward without significant safeguards, including:

• Undermining the mitigation hierarchy – Developers will no longer be required to avoid harm where possible.

• Potentially skipping site-based surveys – Bats are site-loyal species, and losing these surveys will make their protection almost impossible.

• A 'pay-to-destroy' system – A new Nature Restoration Fund would allow developers to bypass legal protections with no clear benefit for nature recovery.

• More power to ministers, less scrutiny – the Secretary of State could change protections at will, and communities will have fewer rights to challenge bad planning decisions.

• Overloading Natural England – Already underfunded and overstretched, Natural England will be expected to take on even more responsibilities.

On top of this, we’ve just learned that the government also plans to remove references to Bat Survey Guidelines for planning decisions – a move that will create confusion and cause even more delays rather than solving existing issues. Read more here.

The second reading of the Bill is happening on Monday, 24th March 2025. We need you to contact your MP urgently and ask for a meeting as soon as possible.

You can find the contact details for your local MP HERE (remember to include your address when you email so they know you are a constituent).

Once you’ve reached out to your MP, please let us know when your meeting is scheduled by emailing comms@bats.org.uk. We will send you a briefing document to help you discuss the issues effectively.

This is a pivotal moment for bat conservation, and we need all of our supporters to speak up. Do also encourage your friends and family to contact their MP.

Thank you for your help – together, we can make a difference.