Conservation group calls for environment champion (From Ilkley Gazette)

Conservation group calls for environment champion

3:00pm Saturday 9th February 2013 in Local news

A conservation group which supported the fight to preserve Yeadon Banks as a village green is calling for a national champion for the environment and public access.

The Open Spaces Society, Britain’s oldest national conservation body, wants to see an agency to champion the environment, landscape and public access to the outdoors in England.  The society was responding to the review of the Environment Agency and Natural England being carried out by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Kate Ashbrook, the society’s general secretary said: “We would be concerned if any reorganisation were to lead to a downplaying of Natural England’s vital work in protection of the landscape and of public access and recreation. Any future body must have the same focus and any reorganisation must ensure that skills and expertise are retained.”

The Open Spaces Society gave its support to local campaigners after attempts were made to overthrow a decision to register Yeadon Banks as a village green. Doug Jones, of Keep Yeadon Banks Green, won a decisive victory in the Supreme Court.