Councils urged brownfield sites’ (From Evesham Journal)

Councils urged brownfield sites’

9:56am Thursday 20th September 2012 in News

A NEW report urging planners and developers to recognise the value of brownfield sites as potential wildlife havens has been published by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

The conservation charity is concerned that Gloucestershire is at risk of losing areas rich in wildlife if brownfield sites continue to be overlooked. Many councils are failing to recognise the importance these areas can have for wildlife and the trust warns that this needs to change.

Dr Colin Studholme, the trust’s director of policy and research, said: “The terms greenfield and brownfield are artificial when it comes to nature.

“Development should target land of lesser environmental value. We are asking councils to ensure they fully understand the ecology of brownfield sites before they approve them for development, otherwise important wildlife habitats will continue to be destroyed.”

All councils in the county will receive the report highlighting the simple message that just because a previously developed site looks derelict and unattractive doesn’t mean it is without ecological value.

Dr Studholme said the trust hoped that greater understanding would stop important wildlife sites being destroyed for good.

The full report can be read by visiting gloucestershirewil dlifetrust.co.uk/SNER2012