To: All Conservative Council Leaders. From: The Big Cheese in Whitehall

To: All Conservative Council Leaders

13th June, 2011

Dear Councillor

Natural Environment White Paper - template release and third party response

You may already be aware of the Natural Environment White Paper my department published on Tuesday last week, but given the support our White Paper received from green groups and stakeholders I thought I would send you the link and summarise some of the main elements which will hopefully best most useful to you and other council colleagues.

This Natural Environment White Paper, entitled “The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature", is the first for over twenty years. It has some really strong headline announcements which environmental organisations have long been seeking, and which are a good opportunity for us to show constituents tangible examples of how we are living up to being the greenest government ever.

Of particular interest to local communities may be:

‘Green Area Designations’ to enable local people to protect the green areas that are important to them in a way which could then be reflected in their Neighbourhood Plans and Local Plans.

‘Nature Improvement Areas’ whereby partnerships of local authorities, local communities and landowners, the private sector and conservation organisations can establish dedicated areas for restoring and connecting nature on a significant scale. We will set up a competition to identify 12 initial areas and will provide £7.5 million to support this.

‘Local Nature Partnerships’ which will stimulate joined-up action to protect the natural environment across local agencies and organisations and will also raise local awareness about the services and benefits of a healthy natural environment.

You may also wish to refer to some of the third party feedback we had at the launch. Useful examples include:

WWF - "As the government's first effort to tackle these issues it's both ambitious and welcome.”

Wildlife Trusts - “The Wildlife Trusts welcome the Government’s Natural Environment White Paper…and praise the level of ambition contained within The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature. The recognition of the need for restoration and recovery of the natural environment at a landscape-scale is applauded.”

RSPB – “Many congratulations. Very good week for Defra and environment. The Government has clearly listened to the concerns millions of people in this country have about the state of our wildlife and green spaces.”

Wildlife and Countryside Link – “Caroline Spelman and her Ministerial colleagues have demonstrated they recognise the importance of the future of nature, both for its own sake and for the wealth and wellbeing of us all.”

Copies of the White Paper can be downloaded from the link below or the HoC library, should you wish to send a copy to your local Wildlife Trust or conservation group.
www.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/whitepaper/

I hope this is of help, if you would like anything further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.


Yours ever


Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs