Monday, October 27, 2008
First published : CASCET
The National Trust is to take up an aggressive eco-stance to protect green spaces and prevent desecration of the countryside.
The trust, one of the country’s biggest landowners, has decided to shift its focus to become the leading champion for the protection of green fields - a move that puts it on a collision course with the Government over housebuilding, development of eco-towns and the proposed expansions of Heathrow and Stansted airports.
The tough new position announced today by the trust, which is the biggest voluntary organisation in Europe with 3.5 million members, follows a year-long consultation of its membership and polling of the public. It signals a dramatic shift from the trust as genteel custodian of grand historic houses to warrior-like defender of green spaces that improve the lives of most citizens.
The approach is part of the legacy envisaged by Sir William Proby, chairman of the trust, who steps down at the annual general meeting next weekend. The vision also has the backing of Sir Simon Jenkins, a former Editor of The Times, who is to take over as chairman.
Sir William first gave warning of the trust’s exasperation with the persistence of ministers’ desire to build over green fields in an interview with The Times last year. He said then that the trust was prepared to buy up land if necessary to prevent the destruction of vital green spaces.
Now, after public feedback, the trust has decided to go on the offensive to save green spaces and woodlands and give people more opportunity to enjoy the coast. It will still keep the option to buy up land but only as a last resort.
Instead, the trust is to use its mandate to adopt a high-profile crusade against incursions on open spaces that threaten the quality of life in communities.
About 94 per cent of people in three separate surveys have called on the trust to be more robust in defending green places.
Sir William said: “We have asked National Trust supporters and the public whether we should be doing more to protect green places. The answer has been a resounding ‘yes’ but we are not going to start buying land from in front of the bulldozer. That isn’t what our supporters want.
“The public has told us that the National Trust should work more in partnership with communities to protect and look after their green spaces, and stand up for the importance of green places to people’s quality of life. They also want us to share our experience of managing local green spaces with local councils and other parties to improve the quality of local green places.”
Research for the trust shows that one in four people suffers from “green place poverty”. Tony Burton, its policy adviser, said that people would notice the organisation becoming more vocal and high-profile.
“We are going to lead the charge in places where significant development is proposed and we will be standing up and saying loudly that these plans are not acceptable.”
The trust has already been a vehement critic of government projects but its teeth have been more labrador than rottweiler. For example, it briefed lawyers to defend the tranquillity of Hatfield Forest at the planning inquiry over the proposed expansion of Stansted airport.
Mr Burton said: “We intend to spotlight the passion people have for green spaces The Government has not yet recognised that they are so important to our quality of life. The protection of land may in future eclipse the attention we have paid to historic houses. This is a clear new direction.”