30 January 2025
In response to the Chancellor's speech today, Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said:
“The Chancellor has again tried to pit nature and development against one another. It is utterly wrong to describe nature-lovers as ‘blockers’. We are a nation of nature-lovers and environmental rules are vital to protect wildlife, but with intelligent planning it is perfectly possible to achieve development and environmental recovery together.
"HS2 is a prime example of bad planning in a rush for growth and 'leaving it up to developers'. HS2 had 10 years to work out what to do about rare bats, but it delayed and dithered and made costly mistakes. These errors will only be repeated if a blinkered focus on growth ignores the opportunities to create a better system.”
"Unthinking deregulation is simply not the answer. The rules are there to protect rare chalk streams, harvest mice and water voles, temperate rainforests and wildflower meadows - the rare and wonderful wildlife that make our country special. They're there to protect the parks and green places that bring communities to life. We are ready to support planning reform that supports nature recovery and infrastructure, but that can only happen if that Government takes the environment seriously and stops demonising nature protection.”
ENDS
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