Government’s ‘Bat Tunnel Bonfire’ Faces First Test Tomorrow – Guido Fawkes

Government’s ‘Bat Tunnel Bonfire’ Faces First Test Tomorrow

mdi-fullscreen

The government has been making a lot of noise about slashing red tape to get “Britain building.” Environment secretary Steve Reed has been out today touting DEFRA’s Corry review, which found over 3,000 examples of “green tape” holding up construction projects. Reed promised “no more bat tunnels,” as the government pushes for infrastructure growth. Though the review admits that the retained EU legislation that forced a bat tunnel for part of HS2 needs to be reviewed before being scrapped. Government officials say no plans are in place to change EU wildlife laws in place. Oh…

Whether Labour will actually be able to deliver on ‘slashing green tape’ to spur infrastructure will be put to the test tomorrow. King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Council Planning Committee will decide on a proposal from food producer Cranswick to expand its pig and poultry farm in Methwold, Norfolk. The expansion would produce 0.5% of the UK’s pork supply and house 714,000 chickens. However, the decision has been delayed for over three years, with Cranswick accusing the Council of asking for more information without saying what exactly was needed. Making a pig’s ear of it…

Last month the planning officers released a report suggesting the expansion should be rejected, citing the farm’s proximity to several European protected sites, arguing Cranswick failed to prove the development “would not result in significant adverse effects on the protected sites”. Objectors naturally include several NGOs (including the WWF) and two local MPs – Liz Truss and her Labour successor, Terry Jermy. Is the government’s promise of a ‘bat tunnel bonfire’ just more hot air?