Quango tries to block its OWN plan for office in Cornish beauty spot

AS AN environmental quango, Natural England is used to blocking building works that threaten the country’s best-loved beauty spots.

But in a bizarre twist, the latest developer in its sights is… itself.

The group has objected to its own proposal for a new office to be built in one of England’s most picturesque areas.

The original planning application to Cornwall Council, submitted in July, was for a one-storey building, car park and access road in the

Lizard Peninsula on the county’s southern coast. The area has a diverse mix of white beaches and unique nature that is fiercely protected by those who live nearby.

Natural England bosses wanted a new workbase in the Lizard National Nature Reserve that would include ‘facilities for staff and visiting groups, including an office, multi-functional hall, meeting room, kitchen, toilets, car park, pond and connection to the wider landscape’.

The project has been attacked by residents and groups alike. And, surprisingly, the body has now sought to block the development – and so has one of its employees working on the reserve.

In its response to the plans, Natural England said that ‘the application could have potential significant effects on the Lizard Special Area of Conservation’.

The four-page letter, written by Bethan Emmett, lead adviser for the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly team, goes on to ask for more information before formally objecting to the proposal. It also requested Natural England consults with other groups, particularly Cornwall Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty, who have also objected to the proposed building.

There were also seven public objections from local residents. The most damning was from a Natural England employee, Steve Townsend, who has worked for two decades as the quango’s

‘It is important we remain objective at all times’

reserve manager for the Lizard Peninsula. He writes: ‘It is disappointing to see this proposed development on a greenfield site, but unbelievable to understand it is from Natural England.’

Natural England has been accused of blocking 160,000 new homes and helping to push housebuilding to its lowest level since the 1920s.

The Home Builders Federation said the quango’s rules have led 74 councils to block developments.

Natural England said it had objected to its own plans as other nature groups had opposed the new development. It has a statutory duty to oversee all planning applications on protected green sites.

Dave Slater, Natural England’s regional director for the South West of England, said: ‘As a regulator it is important we remain objective at all times by offering the same scrutiny and advice to the planning authority on a Natural England-led proposal as we would on any other development.’