Planning and Policy
***Play Your Part In Nature’s Recovery; The Natural Environment White Paper***
Following lobbying by the Wildlife Trusts in the run up to the General Election, the Coalition Government announced the production of a White Paper on the Natural Environment by Spring 2011. This is an important opportunity for us to influence the future of nature conservation policy, helping wildlife to recover for the next generation.
The decisions of planners can have a great impact on wildlife. New developments can bring both opportunities and threats to the places, plants and animals that are important to us.
One of the purposes of the planning system is to manage changes in how we all use land. Planning aims to ensure that the right kind of development occurs in the right place and that this is balanced with the protection of the environment. The planning system was set up by government through Acts of Parliament and planning is implemented by local planning authorities with decisions guided by planning policies.
These web pages give a brief introduction to planning and explain what the Trust's involvement in planning is. We also include guidance on how you can have your say by getting involved yourself. Everyone can comment on a planning application as well as the policies that influence planning decisions.
