Setback for Thurrock Marshes

[Wild-Woman]

This decision has really annoyed and upset me.

Why on earth do we bother having legislation protecting wildlife when it's going to be steam-rollered over like this?

What a bunch of .............(fill the space)

I'm a big supporter of Buglife and the disappointment I feel for them and the associated wildlife, cuts deep.


Buglife | News | Court approves destruction of marshes and its protected wildlife

[Pippa]

I am so sorry to read that WW.No wonder you are so angry.I dread to think how i would feel if they took away the Fells, which is a protected area for wild-life here.

[galanthus]

Environmental vandalism Things like this make me feel very sad and helpless, how can these people live with themselves

[Susie]

Sad news indeed.


Habitat near me is under threat and if a site like that is not going to be preseved then the site here has no chance.

[Meta menardi]

I am amazed that 20 Ha. cannot be found somewhere that could be substituted. I am sure that the magic phrases

"We would love to, but our hands are tied. The ruling in driven by law and we can not rule otherwise"

can be found in there somewhere.

It is a very ominous ruling, and following on from the Trump crumple of protection, where does this leave us?

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

What a bunch of .............(fill the space)

One thing. Leave a bigger space.

This bit makes me laugh. Not.

However, the judges concluded that the Corporation was entitled to rely on a letter from Natural England in which the Government conservation body withdrew their objection and mentioned that the development offered the ‘possibility of a long term nature conservation gain for the area’.

Long-term nature conservation gain for the area. What a joke!!!!! How on earth can a development that will by definition destroy 70% of the area benefit it more than how it is already?? 70% will be gone!!! Um... one thing. They need to do there maths again as they seem to think 100-70 some how makes more than 100!!!

Well done Buglife on all that you've done.

[tristanba]

I was incensed to hear the reason for the latest judgement on this - I quote from the Buglife email I recieved this morning:

"Buglife lost its first High Court challenge when Justice Mitting declared that biodiversity protection legislation in the UK was ‘weak’ and judged that the Thurrock Development Corporation – the unelected planning authority – was right to over-ride national planning guidance and allow the marshes to be destroyed. After such a huge set back for the UK’s wildlife protection laws Buglife went to the Court of Appeal in November 2008 with the aim of reversing that ruling.

Today the three judges agreed that although Thurrock Development Corporation had failed to follow national biodiversity and planning policy, the Corporation was entitled to rely on a letter in which Natural England, the Government conservation body withdrew their objection and mentioned that the new development offered the ‘possibility of a long term nature conservation gain for the area’. This is a disappointing decision which reveals the inadequacy of our current wildlife protection. The Government must act now to strengthen its biodiversity legislation and halt the worsening loss of wildlife."

OK, so we might have laughably poor legislation regarding the protection of habitats and biodiversity in this country, but the fact that a letter from Natural England was used successfully in defence of the developer is outrageous. How on earth could any kind of mitigation lead to the possibility of long term conservation gain for the area, when a large part of the site is being destroyed by the said development?

I am utterly disgusted and indeed, where does it leave us?

[ellen h]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

This decision has really annoyed and upset me.

Why on earth do we bother having legislation protecting wildlife when it's going to be steam-rollered over like this?

What a bunch of .............(fill the space)

I'm a big supporter of Buglife and the disappointment I feel for them and the associated wildlife, cuts deep.


Buglife | News | Court approves destruction of marshes and its protected wildlife

I share your view WW,especially as it is on my doorstep so to speak.
Words fail me as I am so angry that they can do this!!! As has been said if it can happen on land that "was protected" then what of all the other unprotected places....
This part of Essex is being stripped of its green spaces in the name of progress at an alarming rate,maybe not on a grand scale to the casual observer but insiduously in small areas that were once green belt.

[Wild-Woman]

I spoke to a lady at Buglife once the news reached me by email. They are feeling very low and have a £30,000 court bill to pay now. I hope some celebrity big guns wade in with some money to help them out.

If you belong to Buglife, an email of support for these courageous fighters of the invertebrate world, helps to keep them going.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Another joke of a ruling. I can't help but think if there was an endangered bird or cuddly mammal that it might have been stopped. All this in the 'Thames Gateway' they proudly boast has:

many sites of cultural and ecological interest, protected wildlife areas and internationally recognised wetlands.

Its got one less now...