Campaigners are concerned that Natural England, the government’s wildlife watchdog for England, is not effectively protecting nature. Over the last 15 years, the organization has marked an average of four new Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) each year. These sites are crucial for rare wildlife and habitats, and their designation usually prevents most types of development.
However, in the last three financial years leading up to 2024, Natural England has only designated two new sites. This decline has alarmed wildlife advocates, who point to places like the Middlewick Ranges. Once a Ministry of Defence firing range, this area is now slated for 1,000 new homes. Yet, it is also one of the best habitats for rare nightingales in the country. Campaigners argue that it deserves SSSI designation to safeguard its wildlife.
Ecologists believe that Middlewick qualifies for SSSI status based on its unique species and habitats, including endangered nightingales, rare bats, specific invertebrates, and ancient trees. Protecting it could prevent damaging development, but there are worries that this could lead to accusations that wildlife regulators are obstructing much-needed housing.
Interestingly, Colchester city council has suggested pulling Middlewick from its housing plans, which may offer a temporary reprieve for this important site. Miles King from the charity People Need Nature highlighted the irony that the council is taking steps to protect Middlewick rather than Natural England itself. He argues that the organization’s ability to designate new SSSIs is hindered by recent budget cuts and political pressures.
King emphasizes that Natural England’s primary responsibility is to notify SSSIs, which is essential for safeguarding natural habitats. He urges them to recognize Middlewick and other valuable sites as SSSIs to reaffirm their regulatory role.
Natural England’s slow pace is evident. In 2011-12, the organization designated ten new SSSIs, but the numbers have dropped significantly since then. For instance, the average time it takes to officially designate new sites has increased significantly, from under a year a few years ago to over two and a half years now.
John Holmes, strategy director for Natural England, insists that their decisions are based on solid scientific evidence and that every designation can take a long time. The Covid-19 pandemic further complicated matters by halting evidence collection and delaying assessments.
While Natural England has 22 proposed new SSSIs under consideration, including sites like Flamborough Head in East Yorkshire and Prees Heath in Shropshire, the Middlewick Ranges is notably absent from this list. The agency’s lack of commitment to all proposed sites contributes to growing frustration.
Some potential sites, like Wensum Woods in Norfolk, have become contentious due to their overlap with planned infrastructure projects. For example, Norfolk county council withdrew its application for a new road project after Natural England highlighted the area’s ecological importance, specifically the significant bat populations there.
A spokesperson from Defra underscored the government’s commitment to protecting the environment, stating that they are investing in tree planting and restoring peatlands to meet legal targets for nature conservation. However, many feel that more immediate action is needed to protect significant wildlife habitats like those found at Middlewick and beyond.
