AN environmental advocate is calling on MPs and councillors take immediate action to protect wildlife and slow down road and housing developments

Aimee Georgeson has written an open letter to Swindon’s leader asking them to support developments that make use of empty buildings, create tiny homes in urban areas and cut council tax for those renting rooms.

She said: “I am aware that speaking the truth to those in power seldom results in the changes needed nevertheless I feel compelled to write so it can go on record that I spoke out.

“Sanctioned by the local authority, housing and road developments are destroying natural habitat for wildlife at a time when we should be preserving the natural world.

“Evidence can be seen on the roadside, in the increasing numbers of mammals and birds lying dead. They have nowhere left to go.”

She said MPs and councillors should listen to scientific evidence on the best way forward to avoid environmental collapse, and take immediate action.

Robert Buckland said: “Our planning system needs to work for those who use it to make sure new homes, businesses, and vital infrastructure are not held back by outdated, complicated, and time-consuming bureaucracy. It takes an average of five years for an application for residential development to go through the planning systembefore building can even begin. This cannot be right for our communities who want homes to live in, places to work, and schools and hospitals built.

“Under the new proposals and through local democratic agreement, the land will be designated under the categories of growth, renewal, or protection. Every area will also need to have a local plan in place for building more homes, helping local communities drive change and decide what gets built and where.

“It is encouraging that the new proposals will once again make our planning system work for our communities and create much needed new jobs in construction. All new homes will need to be zero carbon ready, which will deliver on our net carbon zero commitment, improve on environmental and energy standards and avoid the need for retrofitting.”

Gary Sumner, the cabinet member for strategic infrastructure, transport, and planning, said: “There will always be change and any town which has substantial developments and highways proposals will have challenges, but we are doing our very best within current legislation to deliver developments which respect the countryside and enhance biodiversity where possible.

“In Wichelstowe we have amphibian and wildlife highways under new roads and substantial areas set aside as protected habitats.

“Great wildlife habitats with ambitions by the Canal Trust to connect to the sections in Wootton Bassett and beyond.”