Natural England, the UK government's wildlife body for England, has not designated a single new Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI — a formal legal protection for places of rare ecological value) since 2023, according to a report by planning experts commissioned by the campaign group Wild Justice. The report found that 14 candidate sites on Natural England's waiting list have received planning applications or decisions for major development within 1km, with 12 already approved — including a new port development at Thurrock that will destroy an area Natural England itself had described as the most important invertebrate habitat across the North Thames. SSSIs currently cover just 7.1% of England, a lower share than any EU country, raising serious doubts about the government's legal commitment to protect 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.