Natural England chair rejects ministers’ claim that nature blocks development

Exclusive: Tony Juniper, who will oversee nature restoration fund, says claims not fully backed by evidence'

The government's leading environmental adviser has said ministers are wrong to suggest nature is blocking development.

Tony Juniper, the chair of Natural England, is to oversee a national nature restoration fund, paid into by developers, which will enable builders to sidestep environmental obligations at a particular site - even if it is a landscape protected for its wildlife.