My Friday afternoon was pleasantly disturbed by news that the Government has decided to call in for public inquiry an application to build 5000 homes on Lodge Hill, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, in Kent.
Not only did the Government's own statutory advisor, Natural England, seek a call in, but 12,400 people contacted ministers to express their outrage and condemnation that the nation's finest nightingale site had been considered for development without public scrutiny.
I am delighted that the Government has listened to these concerns, and has reached the only logical conclusion. Failure to call in this case would have set an alarming precedent for other SSSIs. I trust they will reach the same conclusion over Rampisham Down SSSI.
Call in means that this case will be examined at the highest level where the full merits and values of the site and associated issues can be aired.
But, a rather obvious point is that the battle is not over. We still have to win at public inquiry.
Through an inquiry we hope and expect that this development will be rejected and the future of this Site of Special Scientific Interest will be secured. North Kent's housing need must proceed without impacting on nationally-important wildlife sites. As I will show on Monday, it is possible to build houses with nature in mind and I hope other local authorities and developers take note.
There is huge solidarity amongst the conservation community on this case as there is over Rampisham Down. As we continue to support the Wildlife Trusts in Dorset, so the Lodge Hill campaign has been supported by the Kent Wildlife Trust, Buglife, Butterfly Conservation and the Woodland Trust. And that is the way it should be.
Have a great weekend.
So lets revisit the Lodge Hill case. Good news indeed and on the back of what Maria Eagle said at her recent visit to RSPB HQ we can rest assured that if Labour form the next govt then our protected sites will be safeguared? Fine words from Ms Eagle when she stated: "Just as we did in 1949 we need to rebuild a nation and an economy but also honour our duty to protect and enhance the natural environment"..... "And Labour will ensure that a coherent and resilient ecological network is created over time in line with the Lawton Review's recommendations"....
Not so if you are Medway Labour Group Lodge Hill inquiry a ‘blank cheque’ to the Tories in Government. Utter tosh from the Labour group in Kent and read more www.medwaylabour.org.uk/.../lodge-hill-inquiry-a-blank-cheque-to-the-tories-in-government. One reason why I will be voting Green at the next GE.