What the New Planning and Infrastructure Bill Means for Sustainable Development in the UK

Connor Wild
Oct 13
3 min read

The UK government has introduced the Planning and Infrastructure Bill as part of its wider ambition to “get Britain building”. This new legislation aims to speed up housing delivery and key infrastructure projects, but it also brings significant implications for sustainable development, biodiversity, and ecological planning.

At Elite Ecology, we believe this bill presents both challenges and opportunities for creating genuinely sustainable communities that protect the natural environment while meeting the UK’s housing and infrastructure needs.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill: A Step Forward for Sustainable Planning

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill could pave the way for more affordable homes, improved infrastructure, and better land use across the UK. However, achieving this vision requires a shift away from traditional, large-scale housing models that have often prioritised quantity over quality.

For decades, big house builders have dominated the UK market, producing identical, car-dependent developments that frequently lack green infrastructure and biodiversity value. Reforming the planning system must go hand in hand with transforming this approach to ensure that future housing growth supports climate resilience, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable transport.

Unlocking the Potential of Existing Planning Permissions

The government has identified over 1 million homes with existing planning permission that remain unbuilt, alongside 1.2 million potential homes on shovel-ready sites. Prioritising these locations could help reduce pressure on greenfield land and make better use of brownfield and previously developed sites.

This approach not only speeds up delivery but also aligns with sustainable planning principles by:

Reducing habitat loss and the impact on biodiversity
Encouraging urban regeneration and revitalising underused land
Supporting biodiversity net gain (BNG) through strategic landscape and habitat design

At Elite Ecology, our ecological and hydrology teams regularly support developments on brownfield and mixed-use sites, ensuring projects meet planning requirements while maintaining environmental integrity.

Brownfield Development and the Role of Ecological Design

The introduction of “brownfield passports” within the bill is intended to simplify the process of developing on previously used land. This could be a positive step if it leads to more affordable, sustainable homes built in the right places.

However, brownfield sites often contain valuable ecosystems, such as wildflower grasslands, invertebrate habitats, or nesting bird populations. To develop these responsibly, ecological assessments and habitat creation strategies are essential.

At Elite Ecology, we help developers balance progress with protection through:

Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEA)
Biodiversity Net Gain assessments
Ecological landscape design
Habitat restoration and mitigation planning

By incorporating nature-based solutions early in the design process, developers can deliver high-quality homes that work in harmony with local ecosystems.

Protecting Greenfield Land and Local Landscapes

The new bill introduces welcome changes to compulsory purchase orders (CPOs), enabling land to be bought at existing value rather than “hope value”. This reform could make it easier to deliver affordable and social housing on previously developed land.

Environmental groups have cautioned against using these powers to justify development on greenfield sites, farmland, or local green spaces. Once these areas are lost, the biodiversity and landscape value they provide cannot easily be replaced.

Elite Ecology supports this position. Protecting natural and agricultural land is vital for maintaining biodiversity, ecosystem services, and community wellbeing. Where development is necessary, it should include robust ecological surveys, drainage strategies, and sensitive landscape design to mitigate environmental impacts.

A Balanced Approach to Future Growth

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill has the potential to create a new generation of sustainable, resilient communities but only if environmental and ecological considerations remain central to decision-making.

At Elite Ecology, we believe the path forward lies in collaboration between developers, planners, and ecologists. By integrating sustainability from the earliest stages of design, the UK can build the infrastructure it needs without sacrificing the health of its natural environment.

Supporting Sustainable Planning with Ecological Expertise

If you’re preparing a development or responding to planning policy changes, Elite Ecology can support you with expert advice and reporting, including: