Chancellor’s new attack on nature

RISK: If protective legislation is removed, then sites such as this Cornish woodland will be at risk of development

When will the Government recognize our resources are finite?

December 2011: Chancellor George Osborne's plans to review the protection afforded to wildlife, announced in the Autumn budget statement, has been greeted with widespread dismay.

‘It seems that the Chancellor is not content with the massive shake-up of the planning system that is already under way, and which initially failed to recognise Local Wildlife Sites,' said The Wildlife Trust's chief executive Stephanie Hilborne. ‘Now sites and species of European importance face an uncertain future in England. When will the Government recognise that our natural resources are finite?

Economic growth is being put above the needs of the environment
‘Does this Government want to go down in history as the Government that kick-started nature's recovery or as the Government that tore down the long fought for protection for England's richest wildlife sites?' Stephanie continued.

Habitats Regulations provide safeguards from uncontrolled development to iconic landscapes as diverse as The Lizard in Cornwall, Dartmoor, the Somerset Levels and Moors, the Severn Estuary, Chesil Beach and the Dorset Heathlands.

Tony Whitehead, spokesperson for the RSPB in south west explained: ‘These rules mean that major developments like ports, airports, roads and housing estates have to pass a series of tests before they are allowed to proceed, tests of genuinely sustainable development. 

‘The argument appears to be that in these straightened times economic growth must be placed above the needs of the environment. Let's be clear, the RSPB is not "anti-development". Like everyone else, we want to see the economy back on track. But we have to proceed with wisdom. With careful planning, under the requirements of the regulations, developments can work with wildlife.'

Special Areas of Conservation were established under the EU Habitats Directive and Special Protection Areas established under the EU Birds Directive. Such sites are the foundation of environmental protection on land and at sea in England. They include key forests like Epping in Essex, Ashdown in Sussex and Hampshire's New Forest. Other much-loved areas include Cannock Chase, Rutland Water, the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads and the North Pennine Dales and Moors.

'We are deeply concerned'
Paul Wilkinson, head of Living Landscape, said: ‘We are deeply concerned that Government is considering reviewing current legislation and weakening the implementation of both the EU Birds and Habitats Directives in England, in an attempt to ease the way for major developments on land and on our coasts.'

Joan Edwards, Head of Living Seas, said: ‘It would be appalling if this review created yet another barrier to protecting wildlife at sea. We were already 60 years behind conservation on land when the 2009 Marine Act was to have started a new era.'

Thirteen off-shore SACs were announced by the European Commission only last month giving hope to The Wildlife Trusts' long-running campaign for marine protected areas.

Stephanie Hilborne concluded: ‘Economic growth should not be achieved at the cost of our natural life support systems.'