GREEN Party members of BCP Council are urging their Tory counterparts to join them in condemning what they refer to as an “attack on nature” by the government.
BCP Green councillors Chris Rigby and Simon Bull have written to all local Conservative members calling for action following the government’s recent ‘mini-budget’ which included plans for Investment Zones – where rules on nature protection would in effect be suspended to streamline planning permissions.
Cllr Rigby, who represents Winton East, said: “Our local Conservative councillors represent the many voters across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole who will be up in arms about these government proposals.
“They should not feel duty-bound to back the government because these plans are almost the direct opposite of manifesto promises and have never been put to the British people. We should all be standing up for nature, particularly at this critical time where locally we have declared an ecological emergency.
“We can have robust local economies whilst also working in harmony with nature, not against it. Local Tories have a special responsibility to say no to their new leaders, on behalf of our community, and our local wildlife.”
Labour member Cllr George Farquhar seconded the concerns raised. He told the Echo: “As regards the Investment Zones, personally I just see this as a rebranding of the 'Freeports' on a far larger scale.
“It spells open season for the unscrupulous to fillow the lead of the loss of a moral and ethical compass by the Conservatives to pillage and plunder without fear of checks and balances.”
In response, the Echo approached BCP Council’s deputy leader and member for development, growth and regeneration Cllr Phil Broadhead, who said the authority’s record on green issues is “clear”.
He said: “We take issues on sustainability very seriously and we’ve put so much into making the BCP region one of the most protected in the country.
“We were among the first to make proposed Biodiversity Net Gain measures which is a game changer, we’ve also doubled our spend on sustainability and introduced the £20 million Green Futures Fund to tackle climate issues.
“So, in terms of protection of our green spaces, we’ve done more than anybody before us.
“In terms of Investment Zones, it would be about urban regeneration and not open spaces. I’ve had meetings with the government on this and our position is clear.
“Our green belt land is sacrosanct and a lot of work has gone into protecting it in our Local Plan. Investment Zones turbo charge investment in areas undergoing urban development, not green belt land.”
Cllr Broadhead cited the Holes Bay development as a good example, adding: “Investment Zones give a lot of financial incentives for businesses and that’s exactly the type of thing we’re going for – more freedoms on tax measures so businesses can get the love they deserve.
“If people are worried about local nature, they only need to look at our record of delivering on these issues. If that doesn’t speak to our stance on this, I don’t know what does.”
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