6th November 2008

The Planning Bill set to go through parliament is undemocratic, reduces the rights of the public and won’t protect the environment, say The Wildlife Trusts.

Today, 6 November, The Wildlife Trusts will appear in an advert in The Times and The Daily Telegraph, in which a coalition of environmental NGOs, including The Wildlife Trusts, express their concerns over the forthcoming Planning Bill.

The planning coalition says “despite wide public concern, the Government has refused to change the Bill. More emphasis should be made on delivering a low carbon economy which respects and enhances our natural environment when planning energy and transport infrastructure.”

However, there is still time to influence Government by writing to Hazel Blears, Secretary of State, and asking her to ensure your rights, democracy, and the environment are protected.

Stephanie Hillborne, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, said:

“The Planning Bill is vital to helping UK wildlife adapt to climate change. We must build space for wildlife into major developments and join up our fragmented landscape. At the moment, the Planning Bill simply does not deliver this, and the Government needs to know how strongly the public feels about this.”

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