How Dorset Wildlife Trust is taking action in each of the five areas we are asking candidates to address (using the 200 word limit per question as requested of candidates).

Q: What is your view about the 66,200 new homes proposed for Dorset and what action would you take, if elected, to ensure the protection of wildlife from the impacts of new developments?
 

• Clear evidence has been established in Dorset that links some development with damage to wildlife, specifically on heathlands, a habitat which Dorset has a special responsibility for. Damaging impacts, including arson, erosion, disturbance and predation are worse on ‘urban’ rather than ‘rural’ heathlands. As a result new measures have been put in place to mitigate these impacts and restrict house building close to internationally designated heathlands. Dorset Wildlife Trust strongly supports these measures and is an active member of the Urban Heaths Partnership.
   
• Dorset Wildlife Trust is not opposed to new development but believes a rigorous assessment of wildlife and sustainability impacts is needed to ensure new building is in the right place and at an appropriate scale. Some of the locations proposed in the Regional Spatial Strategy for new development appear to conflict directly with wildlife, including with European wildlife legislation, and should not be taken forward.
   
• We will continue to work closely with planners and developers to explain potential impacts on wildlife and advise how plans could be adapted to avoid harm. In a minority of cases this means we must object to the development proposals outright.

Imogen Davenport
Director of Conservation