David Heath MP, House of Commons, London   SW1A 0AA

October 5th 2011

Dear Mr Heath,

I hope you will be able to add my voice to the many others expressing concern about the headlong rush to make damaging changes to our planning laws. Over sixty odd years I’ve seen the pressures on the natural environment grow. Recent progress in creating some protection now appears to be stripped away simply to make life easier for developers.

I’m using advice from the Wildlife Trusts to seek your help in influencing the Government’s reforms to planning in England. I’m also drawing on my involvement in the conservation of a four acre Local Wildlife Site here in Curry Rivel.

The planning system is vital for securing the long term public interest. However, I am concerned that the Government’s draft National Planning Policy Framework does not include enough protection for the natural environment and gives too much weight to economic growth.

I strongly believe the Government needs to make the following changes to its planning policy:

• Re-instate the importance of the natural environment in national planning policy;
  
  
• Require councils to plan for nature’s recovery in their local area as well as new homes and other development;
  
  
• Give specific planning protection to 40,000 Local Wildlife Sites across England; otherwise these important places for wildlife will be under threat.

I hope you will help change Government policy on this vital issue for the future of our country.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

David German

Copy to SWT, etc

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