Category Archives: deregulation

From Prosperity to Action in 25 years

In 1989 Margaret Thatcher’s Government published Roads for Prosperity. This White Paper set out plans for  “The largest road building programme since the Romans” with plans for a 12 lane M25, an outer M25 from Harwich to the M4 near … Continue reading

Posted in biodiversity, climate change, deregulation, Forestry Commission, public land, regulatory reform, road verges, transport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

All creatures great and smelly

A fundamental question that conservation keeps returning to is share or spare? Should we create spaces where nature is predominant – for example, nature reserves and at the extreme end “self willed” land. Or should we promote a harmonious interplay … Continue reading

Posted in agriculture, bats, biodiversity, biodiversity offsetting, churches, deregulation, ecosystem services, environmental policy, European environment policy, farming, greenspace, Owen Paterson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Victory at Lodge Hill raises questions about brownfield first and sale of public land

It’s always good to write about a victory for the environment, especially these days. I was frankly amazed to read on Martin Harpers blog that the Planning Inspector had concluded that Medway Council’s core strategy was unsound because they had … Continue reading

Posted in biodiversity, biodiversity offsetting, deregulation, environmental policy, housing, meadows, public land, regulatory reform | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Back to the future farming

Relatively new Farming Minister and Lib Dem David Heath is making an impression in the farming world, with a couple of policy shifts which I think it’s worth drawing to your attention. Heath likes making use of the pages of … Continue reading

Posted in anti-environmental rhetoric, biodiversity, climate change, David Heath, deregulation, Dredging, farming, GMOs, Owen Paterson, Stubble burning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Signs of the Times: skirmishes in the public realm

This morning I picked up a couple of political stories from yesterday – and it made me think about what is happening to Britain at the moment. Firstly the The Public Administration Select  Committee published a report severely criticising The … Continue reading

Posted in Charities campaigning, Charities Commission, deregulation, regulatory reform | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment