Although the headlines were dominated by National Insurance and inheritance tax; the Autumn Budget contained a few nuggets of significance for nature. Whilst has Trust has welcomed the additional funding, much more is needed to truly deliver nature’s recovery at scale across the region.
Here, we break down what these announcements mean for our region’s ecosystems, farms, and communities.
Funding for nature restoration and housing development
So, what’s new? Well, housebuilding was one major beneficiary of the Chancellor’s Red Box, with significant implications for the region.
The Budget allocated £70 million for ‘infrastructure and housing development that aligns with nature recovery’. This included £14 million for a ‘new model of developer contribution’s’, intended to ‘strategically mitigate the environmental impact of development’ and £13 million dedicated to expanding Protected Sites Strategies.
This apparently translates as an expansion of species licensing approaches to other environmental impacts, but it could also work alongside strategic biodiversity net gain delivery (BNG) - as is has been suggested it will aim to ‘go above and beyond’ current mitigation and compensation to deliver recovery.
This all sounds good, in theory, but the devil will be in the detail. In a region under increasing pressure from new development, such approaches must be carefully implemented to ensure real gains for nature, rather than just expediting housebuilding. If we are to truly safeguard and restore nature in the region, development projects must consistently enhance natural habitats and benefit biodiversity, without treating nature as an afterthought or allowing it to slip through the cracks.
In addition, to address the nutrient pollution— a significant issue in certain catchments — the budget earmarks £47 million to help deliver ‘28,000 homes that would otherwise face delays due to nutrient neutrality concerns’.
Hampshire & the Isle of Wight have been leaders in promoting nutrient neutrality schemes to protect our waters. Carefully managed, this funding can aid in the growth of our region without compromising water quality. However, it’s essential that this support does not bypass existing environmental standards, such as Biodiversity Net Gain, or neglect the local impacts in favour of broader compensation.
Support for nature-friendly farming
Elsewhere, farming has also been making headlines.
The Budget also announced £5 billion over two years for environmentally sustainable agriculture across England. This figure includes £1.8 billion specifically for environmental land management schemes, initiatives for transitioning to nature-friendly farming. However, this amount falls significantly short of the estimated £3.1 billion needed annually to make substantial progress.
According to analysis from the RSPB, National Trust, and The Wildlife Trusts, a yearly investment of £5.9 billion is essential for meeting climate and biodiversity targets. Without this level of support, the sector’s transition to sustainable practices may lag, jeopardising our region’s ecosystems and the resilience of the UK farming industry.
To truly prioritise nature, the Government must work closely with farmers to provide stability and support for encouraging sustainable and regenerative methods of food production alongside nature recovery. Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s agricultural landscapes are critical for both biodiversity and the rural economy. Without robust funding, achieving legally mandated biodiversity goals will be challenging, if not impossible.
Expanding tree planting, peatland restoration, and flood resilience
An additional £400 million has been allocated for tree planting and peatland restoration, efforts that are essential for climate resilience. Restoring peatlands can significantly improve water quality and help lock carbon into soils, while trees provide habitats and improve air quality – as long as the ‘right tree in the right place’ is followed. These investments resonate with the Trust’s vision for a healthy, thriving natural landscape in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Furthermore, the Government has committed £2.4 billion over two years for flood resilience, supporting new flood defences and the maintenance of existing ones. With rising risks of flooding in the region due to climate change, this funding is crucial to protect both communities and ecosystems. Nature-based solutions, such as wetland restoration and healthy soil management, offer substantial benefits in mitigating flood risks. As the Trust, we believe that such approaches must play a central role in the national flood resilience strategy.
What next?
The Autumn Budget is a step in the right direction, but much work remains to be done. For these initiatives to truly benefit our region, the Government must ensure that every pound invested in development yields measurable progress for nature. Protecting Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s unique biodiversity requires more than well-intentioned small fry; it demands high environmental standards and consistent funding for initiatives that benefit nature directly.
The Trust is ready to collaborate with government bodies, local authorities, and communities to make these initiatives an effective reality. Together, we can ensure that Hampshire and the Isle of Wight become beacons of nature-positive growth, benefiting people, wildlife, and our shared future.