Natural England has objected to its own development plans which look to build a new office in one of England’s most picturesque areas.
The environmental quango is used to blocking building works that threaten the UK’s natural beauty spots except this time, in a bizarre turn of events, the developer they intend to block has turned out to be themselves.
The original planning application to Cornwall Council was for a one-storey building, car park and access road on the Lizard Peninsula on the county’s southern coast.
The area is popular with locals for its white sand beaches which habitat an abundance of wildlife.
Residents and local groups have objected to the plans
PA
Natural England wanted a new work base for staff in the area that would contain “facilities for staff and visiting groups, including an office, multifunctional hall, meeting room, kitchen, toilets, car park, pond and connection to the wider landscape”.
Residents and local groups have slammed the plans but so have the body who are seeking the planning permissions.
In its response to the plans, Natural England said that “the application could have potential significant effects on the Lizard Special Area of Conservation”.
The public body said that it objected to its own plans because other nature groups had done so.
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Natural England has a legal obligation to supervise all planning applications on green-protected sites.
Bethan Emmett, the lead adviser for the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Sicily team at Natural England wrote a four-page letter to object to his company’s proposal.
He also requested that Natural England consult with other groups who have objected to the plans.
Steve Townsend, who also works for Natural England, made a public complaint – one out of seven objections made by local residents.
The public body said that it objected to its own plans because other nature groups had done so.
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He said: “It is disappointing to see this proposed development on a greenfield site, but unbelievable to understand it is from Natural England.”
The quango has been accused of blocking 160,000 new homes, which has plummeted house buildings to its lowest levels since the 1920s.
As many as 74 councils have also blocked developments as a result of Natural England.
Dave Slater, Natural England's regional director for the South West of England, said: “As a regulator it is important we remain objective at all times by offering the same scrutiny and advice to the planning authority on a Natural England-led proposal as we would on any other development.
“It is important we remain objective at all times.”
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