Whilst it is clear that the development at Longwood Lane will lead to the loss of vital habitats and species in a blow to local biodiversity, the Trust also believes the planning inspector’s decision exposes flaws in the Government’s planning policies which could leave Walsall’s wildlife and wild spaces worse off for generations to come.
The Planning Inspectorate’s Appeal Decision plainly states the proposed development will “cause significant harm to biodiversity, species and habitats, including the Wood End Farm SLINC (Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation)”. This is a site that includes several old hedgerows and valuable trees, along with important habitat recognised in the Local Nature Recovery Strategy. However, if the planned development now proceeds, the Government’s flagship Biodiversity Net Gain policy, designed to ensure that a development will result in more or better quality habitat than there was before development, would result in any biodiversity benefits being realised at Buzzards Valley Nature Reserve, Tamworth.
Walsall’s loss would be someone else’s gain, and Walsall will have less space for nature after this decision. Whilst the Trust is all too aware that biodiversity must be boosted on a national scale, we believe that changes must be made to Biodiversity Net Gain policy in order to ensure that benefits are not outsourced from already nature-depleted areas and communities for the benefit of others. We do not wish to see the species-rich becoming richer at the expense of the species-poor becoming poorer.
Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust will continue to support Walsall Council as they monitor the Longwood Lane development, to ensure that damage to Walsall’s biodiversity is mitigated to as great an extent as possible.
Dr Norman Dandy, Director of Nature Recovery at the Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust, said: “The planning inspector’s decision is a real blow for biodiversity in the Black Country. Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust believes that nature should play a central and valued role in helping people address local and global problems, and we want every child to have a wilder future. National policy must ensure that everyone has an equal chance to access quality green space in their daily lives. We urge the Government to reverse the catastrophic decline of wildlife, make space for nature and ensure it has a place at the heart of every community”.
