Over the past 12 months, nature has come under repeated attack from senior government ministers including the Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Bats, newts and even snails have been blamed for a lack of economic growth - wildlife painted as the wicked witch blocking the home-filled happily-ever-after that our communities need.

What is particularly galling about this narrative is that there is no evidence to support it. In fact, recent Wildlife Trusts research found that creatures such as bats and great crested newts were a factor in just 3% of planning appeals. This clearly suggests that the reasons that homes are not being built lie elsewhere.

And this tragic tale has concluded this week with the new Planning and Infrastructure Bill passing its final stages in parliament. It will soon become law - and the news for nature is far from good.

With the help of our members and supporters we managed to win some important changes that limit some of the potential damage.

But this week the government rejected further changes that would have helped nature including our precious chalk streams here in Norfolk, and the Bill still represents a dramatic weakening of environmental protections.

For politicians, whose lives must feel like a never-ending popularity contest, it’s a strange choice of adversary to pitch yourself against.

Pointing the finger at nature is dangerous scapegoating. Rather than being the solution pedalled by our government, the Bill risks destroying nature for good, firmly derailing the prosperous future they are promising us.

Protecting, restoring, and investing in nature, on the other hand, can deliver huge benefits. A wild and healthy landscape provides us with clean air and water, nutritious food; it can improve our health and protect our homes and businesses from flooding; it offers sustainable jobs and a resilient economy.

And not only is caring for our nature the bedrock of everyone’s future, local nature - from rivers and chalk streams, to parks, woods, meadows, wetlands and coastlines - is also deeply valued by people in Norfolk and across the UK. 

What's next?

We are in desperate need of a plot twist. 

Ever since news of the Bill reached us, we have been battling to get the best deal for our wildlife. And we will continue to campaign with the Wildlife Trusts across the UK for national policies that support nature recover in Norfolk, and beyond. 

The election of the first mayor for Norfolk and Suffolk in May 2026 creates an incredible opportunity to secure a strong, local leadership that stands up for nature – and the benefits it brings to all of us. In the run up, we’ll be reminding candidates from all parties that, far from being a villain, mother nature is the heroine in this story – and to be popular, our new mayor must commit to protecting and restoring our wildlife, for good.

As this story unfolds, we’ll continue to make a song and a dance about it – we urge you to join us.