Investing in environment key to future economic growth- says Norfolk group
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has previously said the Government will reduce environmental requirements placed on developers
Putting more investment into infrastructure that supports clean water, good air quality and sustainable farming- is key to fuelling economic growth, according to the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
It's after Chancellor Rachel Reeves said in her latest speech that she's working to reduce environmental regulations- to help developers build the likes of homes and roads, more quickly.
"Let's consider that and deal with it at the beginning"
Eliot Lyne is chief executive of the NWT:
He says the Government's tone on this is worrying:
"Sometimes it feels like it could be Liz Truss talking and not Keir Starmer, with this sense of nature being a 'blocker to growth'.
"I think we need to look at the situation in a totally different way, where we see nature as an enhancer to growth".
"On the A47- you could say, actually there is some rare nature here. So, if we want to do this 'dualling' let's consider that and deal with it at the beginning.
"Therefore, if we want to create some mitigating habitats or move the nature let's do that now, so that it doesn't become a potential issue or something to blame later" .
"Just one among a number of factors"
A National Highways spokesperson said: "Preserving this endangered species, which is only found in three locations across the country, is just one among a number of factors surrounding any possible upgrade of the A47 Acle Straight.
"Our commitment to improving the A47 in terms of safety and reducing congestion can be seen with major construction currently under way on two large-scale projects to dual different sections of the road."
What's the Government said on this?
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has previously said the Government will reduce environmental requirements placed on developers- so they can focus on getting things built.
The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs say their 'five core priorities' include:
-Cleaning up British rivers, lakes and seas
-Creating a roadmap to move Britain to a zero-waste economy
-Supporting farmers to boost Britain’s food security
-Ensuring nature’s recovery
-Protecting communities from flooding