Category Archives: Natural England

Red Tape Challenge – Environment Theme

Posted on March 19, 2012 by grasslandstrust

Here we go with the first smallish announcement of the many to come this week from the Government on deregulation. This is the Red Tape Challenge, and Defra has just published the report with recommendations for simplifying regulations that are … Continue reading →

Posted in biodiversity, budget, Cuts, deregulation, grasslands, Miles King, Natural England, regulation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Meadows for Sale – should we buy them?

Posted on February 23, 2012 by grasslandstrust

We’ve just spent the best part of 18 months trying to buy a farm in Herefordshire – Bury Farm SSSI. This is a spectacular place  and probably the most important single area of lowland meadows and pastures (a priority habitat) … Continue reading →

Posted in biodiversity, deregulation, EIA (Agriculture) Regulations, farming, grasslands, Grasslands Trust Nature Reserves, Heritage Lottery Fund, Local Sites, Miles King, Natural England, semi-natural | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Droughts, Nitrates and the Habitats Regulations

Posted on February 16, 2012 by grasslandstrust

Across central and southern England, rainfall in January was again below average  – the Met Office produces excellent anomaly maps here. The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology produces a monthly hydrological review which was published yesterday.This confirms that drought conditions … Continue reading →

Posted in biodiversity, climate change, deregulation, Ecosystem services, farming, grasslands, Natural England, publicity, regulation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Government’s Conflicted State on Biodiversity

Posted on December 2, 2011 by grasslandstrust

I just wrote this for former Labour biodiversity minister Barry Gardiner MP’s IPOAK website – I don’t know when he’ll post it but you can read it here now. The new England Biodiversity Strategy “Biodiversity 2020” and the conflict at … Continue reading →

Posted in biodiversity, Cuts, Ecosystem services, grasslands, Natural England, NPPF, planning, regulation, semi-natural, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Emasculation of Natural England Part 2 continued

Posted on December 1, 2011 by grasslandstrust

There is some media interest in the story about Natural England being converted into a delivery agency for “sustainable” development today. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/hands-off-our-land/8926553/Hands-Off-Our-Land-Natural-England-English-Heritage-to-be-forced-to-promote-more-building.html The Tory(?)graph got it wrong, as usual, as it suggested the new restrictions were on time limits for … Continue reading →

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The Emasculation of Natural England – Part 2

Posted on November 30, 2011 by grasslandstrust

Natural England was unpopular with this Government even while they were in opposition. Opposition spokesmen like Nick Herbert had already been complaining in 2009 that Agencies like Natural England, paid for by public funds, should not be publicly criticising their … Continue reading →

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