Experts Slam Government’s “Cash to Trash” Nature Levy in Controversial Planning Bill

Leading UK economists, ecologists and former government advisers have criticised a key section of the government’s new planning bill, warning it will allow developers to bypass environmental laws by simply paying into a national “nature levy”.

In a letter to MPs, figures including Sir Partha Dasgupta of Cambridge University and Sir John Lawton, former chair of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, described the proposals as a “licence to kill nature”. They argue that the levy allows companies to override long-standing protections for wildlife and natural habitats in England and Wales, undermining both ecological integrity and economic growth.

The controversial measure is contained within Part Three of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which is currently under parliamentary review. Critics say it creates a conflict of interest by placing responsibility for both conservation assessments and funding within Natural England, which would rely on levy income to operate.

One of the signatories, Dr Tom Tew, a former chief scientist for Natural England, said the bill allows poor planning decisions to be pushed through under the guise of offsetting environmental damage. Other experts warned that it could increase delays in development and harm investor confidence due to regulatory confusion.

Angela Rayner, as housing secretary, would hold the final say on implementing the levy scheme — a move the letter calls “a dangerous loophole where political convenience can override ecological reality.”

Campaigners are calling for the section to be removed from the bill and placed under full public consultation.