Isle Of Wight Wildlife Trust Urges Government To Put Nature At Heart Of Devolution Plans

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has joined politicians, local leaders and environmental organisations in Westminster to call for nature recovery to be placed at the centre of England’s evolving devolution agenda.

The event, held on Thursday January 8, brought together parliamentarians and representatives from Wildlife Trusts across the country, including those from areas selected for the Government’s Devolution Priority Programme such as Norfolk, Suffolk, and Hampshire and the Solent.

Under the proposed English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, new mayoral strategic authorities in these areas would receive additional powers and responsibilities from government, including control over strategic planning and local growth plans.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust used the event to highlight how devolution could unlock meaningful local action for nature — but only if new powers for local authorities are supported by strong environmental duties and clear mechanisms to drive nature’s recovery.

The Trust is calling on the Government to ensure the Bill delivers updated environmental duties for local authorities that reflect the urgency of the climate and biodiversity crises, aligns local growth plans with Local Nature Recovery Strategies, and gives communities new powers, including a ‘right to buy’, to protect land that provides access to wildlife-rich spaces.

Speakers at the event included Debbie Tann MBE, Chief Executive of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Christine Luxton, Chief Executive of Suffolk Wildlife Trust, and Jenny Riddell-Carpenter MP.

Debbie Tann said nature underpins the country’s prosperity and wellbeing.

She said:

“Pollinators, floodplains, clean water, fertile soils and a stable climate aren’t environmental ‘nice-to-haves’ — they’re essentials we all rely on.

"Devolution must lock in a nature-positive approach to support healthier communities, a stronger economy and nature’s recovery.”

The event was hosted by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, MP for Suffolk Coastal, as the Bill continues its passage through the House of Lords.

The Committee Stage is due to begin later this month, when peers will debate amendments aimed at strengthening the Bill’s approach to nature recovery, climate resilience and community empowerment.

Ms Riddell-Carpenter said decisions about protecting nature work best when they are made locally, adding that devolution gives communities the power to improve biodiversity and protect rivers and seas.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust says it will continue working with parliamentarians and local stakeholders as the Bill progresses, urging the Government to ensure nature recovery is placed at the heart of English devolution.