A group of 15 major national environmental groups has written to prime minister David Cameron warning that his ambition to lead the "greenest government ever" has stalled and the Government must stop trying to undermine the planning system and environmental regulation.
The groups say the Government made a strong start on the environment but it has since fallen down the league table of countries attractive to clean energy investors thanks to its environmental policies.
They say returning to the track will require strong leadership.
They warn there have been some real set-backs and single out protection for the countryside and wildlife in planning reforms, the view there should be a default "yes" to new development and inclusion of all environmental protection law in the "Red Tape Challenge".
"As leader of the opposition, David Cameron showed great leadership on the environment but the Treasury and the business department are very effectively undermining his good intentions," says Campaign to Protect Rural England chief executive Shaun Spiers.
"In particular, the Treasury is succeeding in its attempts to dictate planning policy in ways that will harm the environment and local communities. The prime minister has spoken compellingly of his commitment to the environment and love of the countryside. David Cameron is now in power, and we have passed the time for warm words. The next phase of the Government needs to be about backing up green rhetoric with action."
All 278 pieces of environmental law and regulations have been included in the Red Tape Challenge and Wildlife Trusts head of living landscape Paul Wilkinson said this sends worrying signals.
"Previous generations have strived to put in place the legal tools to protect the natural environment but, despite this effort, wildlife continues to decline," he said.
"This review should not result in any deregulation or weakening of the protection of important sites or species. We need to be the generation that puts nature back on the map. The Wildlife Trusts believe that, in the natural environment white paper, the Government should establish a clear statement of ambition for the recovery of the natural environment in England. This should include strengthening existing protection measures which form the baseline for what needs to be done."
