The relationship with the places most important to you and me define part of our sense of belonging – part of our identity. I suspect that 2011 will come to be recognised as a year when more and more people realised just how import a sense of place is to them. It’s happened before – back in the thirties rampant ribbon development and an ad hoc approach to our countryside prompted an out-pouring of concern that led to the birth of town and country planning in 1947.
In 2011 we’ve already seen substantial campaigning to protect forests and more recently to influence the course of the coalition Government’s National Planning Policy Framework – the future of the English countryside will be shaped by decisions made this year.
Here, at the RSPB, we get a steady stream of questions about how people can engage with the planning system – seeking to step up for nature - often driven by an imminent threat to a local site or a place that is held dear. We’re in the process of updating the guidance we can provide – and we’ve started with the section for England.
The planning system in England is in a state of some considerable flux ... the advice we can give is therefore going to subject to change over the coming months and we will update it accordingly. We’ll be adding sections for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the near future.
I’m really interested in feedback – this will be invaluable as we review the content. It’s important to be as objective as you can, it will help your case. There can be a multitude of reasons why a particular place is special to you – but to mount a successful planning case on the wildlife value of a site requires good information and a clear plan of action ... you can find out more here.
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