Cornwall Wildlife Trust welcomes assurance earlier this week from the Housing Minister, Dominic Raab, that protection for wildlife will be recognised in the National Planning Policy Framework which is currently out for public consultation.

Local Wildlife Sites - often called County Wildlife Sites here in Cornwall - make up some 10% of Cornwall and provide important natural havens of County importance for some of our most valuable wildlife and it is vital they are recognised and protected.

Housing Minister, Dominic Raab, has been quoted in this week’s media as saying,

“There is absolutely no intention of watering down wildlife protections. The NPPF is out for consultation and before it is finalised we will make any changes necessary to ensure that protection for local wildlife sites is clear.”

Carolyn Cadman, Chief Executive for Cornwall Wildlife Trusts says,

“In just the last six months Cornwall Wildlife Trust has been involved in getting better outcomes through the planning process for 10 Local Wildlife Sites. Whilst we’re delighted that the Minister is now saying they are committed to retaining protection for wildlife, we need people to stay alert to consultations and keep putting pressure on the government to actually deliver on their promises”

Tom Shelley, Conservation Manager at Cornwall Wildlife Trust says,

“We are campaigning in Cornwall under ‘Save our Wildlife’ to encourage everyone to understand that if we don’t protect nature now, once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. We are asking as many people as possible to have their say and sign up to our e-petition and consultation before 10 May”

The government’s consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework closes on May 10th. Please support our campaign to save Local Wildlife Sites HERE – over 12,500 people have responded in the last 5 days showing the importance of this cause.