Local nature groups are urging the government to rethink their plans for rapid growth and development between Oxford and Cambridge.
Charities such as the RSPB, The Woodland Trust, and the Berks, Bucks and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust say that these plans will destroy nature and the climate of the affected counties.
The charities say Government proposals for increased house building and infrastructure development – including new towns – are bypassing critical processes for safeguarding the environment. They are calling on Government to rethink their plans and asking people to respond to a public consultation on ‘the Arc’ to tell Government they want to see nature and climate prioritised and prevent unsustainable and damaging development.
Emma Marsh, RSPB England Director says:
“If the Government’s plans for the Oxford-Cambridge Arc are to go ahead, they must make good on their stated aim for the Arc to be a world-leader in tackling the nature and climate crisis. The plans cannot be allowed to circumvent environmental safeguards designed to protect nature and they absolutely must adopt ambitious targets for restoring nature and tackling climate change.
“Nature is critical to the health of people and communities, the environment, and the economy. Protecting and restoring nature is vital for any transition to a greener, more sustainable future. That is why we are urging Government to rethink the Arc to ensure their plans protect and restore nature.”
Estelle Bailey, Chief Executive, BBOWT added:
“The Government’s plans for the OxCam Arc do not properly consider the impact on nature. As long as this is the case, they are a failure. You cannot plan for sustainable growth without factoring in the costs to the environment. But even that is the bare minimum. As it stands, funds will only be created to restore nature across the Arc if development takes place. Funding for nature’s restoration cannot be solely dependent on development. We have taken and used so much of what nature offers for generations, without paying it back. Now is the time for ambitious plans to restore nature on a landscape scale, in its own right.”
Ask Government to rethink their plans for the Arc to make them better for nature: click here to complete the Rethink the Arc campaign action.
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