BCP Council defends environmental record after climate criticism
BCP Council says it is continuing to “create vibrant spaces” despite criticism from environmentalists, which claim the authority lacks ambition on climate and nature
BCP Council has defended its environmental record after criticism from campaigners who say its New Year statement lacked ambition on climate change and nature recovery.
East Dorset Friends of the Earth has accused the authority of failing to set out clear policies to tackle what it describes as urgent and growing environmental threats across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
The criticism follows the council’s New Year announcement which outlined a number of initiatives planned for 2026. These included the rollout of a residents’ card scheme, the introduction of food waste collections for households in Poole, improved access to electric vehicle charging and the creation of new town councils.
The statement also highlighted £4.4m of investment into more than 120 play spaces across the conurbation.
But campaigners say the message fell short, claiming the council’s priorities appeared misaligned with the scale of the environmental challenges facing the area.
Martin Price, East Dorset Friends of the Earth, said: “In 2020, BCP Council declared a ‘Climate and Ecological Emergency’, however, apart from some references to green spaces and play areas, the council’s New Year statement fails to refer to any ambitions to tackle urgent climate change or to halt and reverse the decline in nature in BCP.”
He warned that green belt land and local heathland were under pressure from housing development, while harbours and rivers were being polluted by nitrates and phosphates.
Air quality, he added, was threatened by rising traffic levels, with climate change increasing the risks of flooding, coastal erosion and heat-related deaths.
“There appears to be a lack of urgency and strategic coherence in the council’s plans,” Mr Price said. “We fear that this does not best serve the wellbeing of local residents and wildlife alike.”
BCP Council leader Councillor Millie Earl rejected the criticism, insisting the authority remained firmly committed to climate action and protecting nature.
She said: “Our ambition remains to create vibrant places where people and nature flourish in a healthy, natural environment.”
Cllr Earl pointed to weekly food waste collections being introduced in Poole from April, diverting waste from landfill to produce renewable gas, as well as national recognition for active travel improvements, which have unlocked an additional £2.95m in government funding.
She also highlighted BCP’s designation as the UK’s first official “Nature Towns”, backed by organisations including Natural England and the National Trust, and a recently agreed plan to enhance open and wild spaces while keeping biodiversity funding local.
“We’re building on all of this work with delivery, action and new ways for communities to make a difference for nature,” she added.