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12
Aspects of Land
Spring / Summer 2018
New housing should link to the environment
Defra Secretary of State Michael
Gove has also spoken about the plan,
which includes the vision of connecting
habitats into larger corridors for wildlife,
as recommended eight years ago by Sir
John Lawton in his review of wildlife
sites. Gove reiterated the Government’s
support for farmers and rural landowners
who dedicate fields to wildflower
meadows, plant more trees and attract
wildlife back to natural habitats.
He addressed the issue of new housing
in rural areas. “Population growth and
economic development will mean more
demand for housing and this Government
is committed to building many more
homes,” he said. “However, we will ensure
that we support development and the
environment by embedding the principle
that new development should result in
net environmental gain – with neglected
or degraded land returned to health, and
habitats for wildlife restored or created.”
The plan also aims to improve social
justice by cutting pollution “in less
favourable areas” and by widening the
mental and physical health benefits of
nature to those who don’t have easy
access or close links to the countryside,
such as urban families on low incomes or
those from ethnic minority groups.
Some aspects of the plan will apply
to the whole of the UK, but where
environmental policy is devolved to the
Scottish and Welsh Governments and
Northern Ireland Executive, the plan’s
proposals will apply only to England.
The Government, however, has said
it will work closely with devolved
administrations as the UK leaves the
EU “to uphold environmental standards
Farmers’ contribution to the environment, such as planting wildlfowers, will be recognised
GOALS OF THE 25-YEAR
ENVIRONMENT PLAN
n
Clean air
n
Clean and plentiful water
n
Thriving plants and wildlife
n
A reduced risk of harm from
environmental hazards such as
flooding and drought
n
Using resources from nature
more sustainably and efficiently
n
Enhanced beauty, heritage and
engagement with the natural
environment
n
Mitigating and adapting to
climate change
n
Minimising waste
n
Managing exposure to chemicals
n
Enhancing biosecurity
AT A
GLANCE
SPECIAL
REPORT
and go further to protect our shared
natural heritage”.
Many of those connected with
the countryside have welcomed the
Government’s vision and its recognition
of the contribution farmers and
landowners make in maintaining the
natural habitat and the greater role they
will play under the future proposals.
Guy Smith, Deputy President at the
National Farmers’ Union (NFU), says a
coherent approach is key for success. “It’s
vital that a holistic approach is taken.
The plan must go hand-in-hand with a
future food policy, where measures for
protecting the environment are joined up
with policies to improve productivity and
manage volatility to ensure that we have
profitable, productive and progressive
farm businesses post-Brexit.”
DYLAN GARCIA / ALAMY