Angela Rayner has asserted that preserving wildlife should not hinder the development of additional housing.
Recently, Sir Keir Starmer committed to constructing 1.5 million homes and expediting planning decisions on 150 major infrastructure initiatives by the close of the decade.
Ms. Rayner, who serves as deputy prime minister and housing secretary, was questioned whether this implied reduced protections for wildlife such as newts, bats, and kittiwakes.
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The Labour official expressed to Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips her belief that “we can safeguard them, all while continuing construction”.
“We can’t find ourselves in a position where newts receive more protection than individuals who are in urgent need of housing,” she remarked.
“What we require is a methodology that states ‘safeguard nature and wildlife, but without compromising our ability to construct homes’.
“We can achieve both goals.”
A black-legged kittiwake. Pic: iStock
‘This administration will no longer tolerate this nonsense’
Critics have indicated that the government’s housing objectives are overly ambitious, yet Ms. Rayner conveyed to Sky News that she “cannot accept the current state of affairs”.
These inquiries surfaced following Sir Keir’s disparagement of a £100m bat tunnel. In the previous month, the leader of HS2 disclosed that this structure was one of numerous challenges the significantly over-budget rail initiative has faced.
The prime minister stated last week: “We haven’t constructed a reservoir in over 30 years, and even the projects that receive approval are contested to the utmost, resulting in the ludicrous scenario of a £100m bat tunnel obstructing the nation’s largest infrastructure endeavor.
“Increasing taxes and escalating the cost of living beyond reason.
“I assure you: this administration will not endure this absurdity any longer.”
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Ms. Rayner was further questioned about the consequences if councils failed to deliver sufficient housing to meet the government’s ambitions.
While she refrained from providing a definitive response, Ms. Rayner seemed to indicate that councils would be compelled to comply.
Over the course of six inquiries, Trevor Phillips pressed her on what would occur if councils did not construct an adequate number of homes.
Ms. Rayner remarked that Trevor was “missing the essence” – and that plans would be “mandatory” under Labour’s National Planning Policy Framework.
She proceeded to suggest that the government might take control or enforce housing requirements on local councils.
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“Ultimately, if there is no local plan, we will have to explore means of delivery,” Ms. Rayner stated.
“However, they will indeed develop a local plan because they understand it is necessary.”
