Moved by
Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
289: After Clause 123, insert the following new Clause—
“Wildbelt
(1) Local planning authorities must maintain a register of wildbelt land in their local areas (see section 106(3)(c) of the Environment Act 2021).
(2) Wildbelt land must be recognised in local plans based on areas identified in the local nature recovery strategy.
(3) Local planning authorities must act in accordance with local nature recovery strategy wildbelt designations in the exercise of relevant functions, including land use planning and planning decisions.
(4) Wildbelt land may not be subject to land use change that hinders the recovery of nature in these areas.”
Member's explanatory statement
This new Clause would secure a land designation in England that provides protection for sites being managed for nature’s recovery, identified through the Local Nature Recovery Strategies created by the Environment Act. Sites designated as wildbelt in Local Plans would be subject to only moderate controls, precluding development but allowing farming and other land uses which do not hinder the recovery of nature.