The Conservative Party is committed to protecting our natural environment, keeping development sustainable and giving everyone the opportunity to access and enjoy the great British outdoors.
I’m proud that the Coalition Government published the first Natural Environment White Paper for 20 years and established a proper strategy, Biodiversity 2020. Between 2010 and 2015, £7.5 million was invested in establishing 12 Nature Improvement Areas, providing space for wildlife to thrive, and 150,000 acres of priority habitats were created. Over 11 million trees were planted in the last Parliament and the Government has pledged to plant a further 11 million in this one. England’s woodland cover is now expanding at a rate that hasn’t been seen since the fourteenth century.
Being outside in nature benefits people physically and mentally, so it is important to protect access to the countryside. Our network of public rights of way plays an important role, and the Government is simplifying the process of recording them to ensure no historic rights of way are lost. Work is also ongoing to establish the England Coast Path.
By Patrick McLoughlin on December 01, 2016