The Wildlife Trusts are concerned that a proposed overhaul of England’s existing planning system will leave vital wildlife sites with no protection and put the economic aims of the planning system ahead of its environmental commitments.
**UPDATE APRIL 2012** - read our press release responding to the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework.
The Government has set out a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to simplify and consolidate planning policy in England. Whilst The Wildlife Trusts support the principle of policy consolidation, we believe that the current proposals go too far.
In particular, The Wildlife Trusts are concerned that under the proposed reforms Local Wildlife Sites will be left bereft of the protection they currently have. The current planning system is the principal means of protection for Local Wildlife Sites which are not protected by law. The Wildlife Trusts believe that current protection for Local Wildlife Sites must be maintained.
What The Wildlife Trusts are calling for
Local Wildlife Sites play a critical role in providing wildlife refuges, protecting threatened species and habitats, and acting as links and corridors between designated sites.
We believe that the planning system should reflect the long-term interests of the public, as well as the commitment the Government made to nature's recovery in its recent Natural Environment White Paper. We are calling for the Government to make the following changes to its proposals:
- Greater recognition and protection for Local Wildlife Sites: there are 40,000 Local Wildlife Sites in England, an area 4.5 times the size of Greater London. Under the proposed new guidance for planners these sites would no longer have specific protection;
- Require Local Plans to identify Nature Improvement Areas (NIAs): The Natural Environment White Paper introduced the concept of NIAs: large areas where nature’s restoration would have greater priority. Any planning framework will be critical to achieving NIAs and yet they have no mention in the draft NPPF.
Please help us by taking action:
• Write to your local MP. Our template letter offers guidance (see below) and you can find contact details for your local MP here.
• Spread the word: encourage your friends and family to take action and paste this link www.wildlifetrusts.org/nppf on your Facebook or Twitter page. If you’re tweeting you can use the #nppf hashtag.
• Join your local Wildlife Trust: and help us to stand up for our wildlife and natural environment.
Downloads
| Filename | File size |
|---|---|
| Template letter for you to send to your MP.doc | 32.5 KB |
| October 2011 NPPF LWS COLOUR FINAL.doc | 147.5 KB |
| October 2011 NPPF NIA COLOUR FINAL.doc | 144 KB |