9 Comments
User's avatar
Melissa Vickers's avatar

Good morning, Hugh,

We have received a planning permission proposal in respect of the land behind our house for 28 houses. The land was formally MOD land and has been left to grow wild for around 8 years.

We are concerned about the effect on the following species we know of as well as any hedgehogs that may roam or graze for food there: Housemartins that nest in the adjacent street and return annually to breed, adders, field mice and other local wildlife species unknown to us.

Is there anything you can send us to help object to this on the basis of the damage to habitat and wildlife?

Kindest regards

Melissa

Planning reference under NKDC, Lincolnshire: 25/0932/FUL

Expand full comment
Hugh Warwick's avatar

Hi Melissa, always a shock when a valued patch of wild land gets threatened ... you are much better placed to ask your local wildlife trust - they will have people who are experienced with both the local and national planning legislation.

Expand full comment
Deborah Brand's avatar

YES, WE SHOULD ALL BE HELPING OUR WILDLIFE THEY NEED US MORE THAN EVER ESPECIALLY WITH CLIMATE CHANGE.

Expand full comment
Andy Weekes's avatar

Yes to laws, that is what the state is for. The big housebuilders will try to throw up estates as cheaply as possibly, so the more protections for wildlife, and indeed the people living in the houses, the better; if it's not law, it will be just another corner to cut. On a wildlife and environmental level, I do wonder about the need for such a massive building programme in the first place, concreting over the earth which absorbs rainwater and flood water, reducing food-producing farmland and natural ecosystems, but that's a different rant for another day!

Expand full comment
Hugh Warwick's avatar

There are certainly an awful lot of second (and more!) homes - as well as just empty properties bought for investment ... I do not know the figures but I wonder how many people the country could house NOW - if all the stock was utilised!

Expand full comment
Andy Weekes's avatar

And I think an awful lot sitting empty.

Expand full comment
Ni's avatar

A little bit of hope!

Expand full comment
Lin's avatar

Absolutely yes and it should be a priority !

Expand full comment
Gavin John Hageman's avatar

One day, we will realise as a human species that if we were alone on this planet, as the only species left, we would be very lonely and unable to survive! we must cherish it and protect it now whilst we can!

Expand full comment