What are the concerns of the Nathusius' research project team about the UK's planning bill?

The Nathusius' research project team, led by Patty Briggs, believes the UK's proposed planning and infrastructure bill will undo decades of progress in the conservation of protected species like bats.

How does the proposed nature restoration fund work, according to the article?

Under the new law, developers would be able to build on protected sites and instead put money into a nature restoration fund, which would be used at a later date to create environmental improvements elsewhere. The researchers call this a "pay-to-destroy system".

What have the Nathusius' researchers observed in their bat monitoring near Heathrow Airport?

The researchers have noticed a decline in the number of Nathusius' pipistrelles they typically observe in the bat boxes they monitor, raising concerns about the potential impact of the new development laws.

Home / Environment / Experts Warn Proposed Nature Restoration Fund Could Undo Conservation Progress

Experts Warn Proposed Nature Restoration Fund Could Undo Conservation Progress

20 Oct

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Summary

Conservationists fear UK's planning bill will undermine protected species
Bat researchers note fewer Nathusius' pipistrelles in their monitoring
Proposed fund would allow developers to pay for environmental damage

Experts Warn Proposed Nature Restoration Fund Could Undo Conservation Progress

On October 20th, 2025, a team of bat researchers led by Patty Briggs expressed grave concerns about the UK government's proposed planning and infrastructure bill, which is set to have its final reading in the House of Lords the following day. The researchers, who have been studying a colony of Nathusius' pipistrelles near Heathrow Airport, believe the new legislation will undo decades of progress in the conservation of protected species.

Under the proposed law, developers would be able to build on protected sites and instead contribute to a nature restoration fund, which would be used to create environmental improvements elsewhere. However, the researchers argue that this "pay-to-destroy system" could be detrimental to local wildlife populations. "If a colony loses the ability to meet up - maybe their wood has been cut down for a building scheme - the colony is fragmented into two groups. Then that small group is not able to generate the heat they need for the babies to grow and develop," explains Patty.