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Amendment 130 to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill inserts the clause: “An environmental impact identified in an EDP [environmental delivery plan] may only affect nutrient neutrality, water quality, water resource or air quality.”

It is a safeguard to ensure that EDPs are used for their originally intended purpose – to apply strategic approaches to tackling diffuse and cumulative environmental challenges.

It was put forward by crossbencher Baroness Willis of Summertown, who as Katherine Willis is professor of biodiversity in the Department of Biology at the University of Oxford.

The amendment was passed decisively in the House of Lords with strong cross-party support after a lobbying campaign by numerous environmental groups and causes.

Now the ACE Group – which comprises the Association for Consultancy & Engineering (ACE) and the Environmental Industries Commission (EIC) – is weighing in to urge the House of Commons to back Amendment 130 as well.

ACE warns that without the amendment, EDPs could be applied more widely to individual protected sites and species, discouraging positive action by responsible developers and undermining the government’s ambitions for sustainable growth and environmental recovery.

It said that it welcomes the  government’s efforts to bring in strategic approaches to environmental mitigation but believes that for specific habitats and species, EDPs are not appropriate.

ACE Group chief executive Kate Jennings said: “Amendment 130 is about balance. It keeps environmental delivery plans focused on the big picture – strategic challenges where collective action delivers real improvements for nature and communities – while giving business the certainty and confidence to invest and grow.

“We share the government’s ambition to build a prosperous, sustainable Britain. Supporting Amendment 130 is a clear signal that the UK can lead on green growth – protecting our environment while unlocking the homes, infrastructure and jobs our communities need.

“ACE Group is calling on all parliamentarians to stand with industry, stand with nature, and support Amendment 130 to ensure the Planning and Infrastructure Bill delivers for people, planet and prosperity.”

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