The Habitat Regulations have played a huge part in saving precious places for wildlife in the last 30 years. These powerful laws give nature a say on where we build new developments. They help knock back projects which threaten vulnerable wildlife. They give a firm but polite “no thank you” to plans which would damage nature’s unique places. In exceptional circumstances where projects must be built, they ensure new habitat is created elsewhere.

Now, at a time when nature needs them more than ever, there is a threat that the Habitat Regulations will be weakened or taken away altogether. Here is a guide to what they are, why they’re under threat and the action we want to see from the UK Government to make sure they remain.

Taken from RSPB Press Release August 2022