A letter I sent to the Leek Post and Times this week:
If,
like me, you are passionate about the fantastic wildlife and
landscape in our local area you should take this into account when
you decide how to vote in the upcoming EU referendum. The “out”
campaigners you have you believe that the EU is simply a financial
burden on the people of the UK, and that we get nothing in return.
However, of the £13 billion or so that membership of the EU costs
the UK, we do get some of it back; and of that amount some of it
comes back to enhance the quality of the nature in and near the
Staffordshire Moorlands. For instance, last October The
Moors for the Future Partnership, which works to protect priority
international habitats in the Peak District and South Pennines, was
granted £12 million to deliver the MoorLIFE 2020 project. The
largest share of the pot, £9 million, coming from the EU’s LIFE
fund - which is dedicated to support environmental, nature
conservation and climate action projects throughout Europe; while the
balance is from private companies, such as Severn Trent Water, who
own land in the area. MoorLIFE 2020 itself is following on work that
has been carried out over the past four years and which also received
public money, that time £5.7 million came from the European Union.
In addition to that vitally important project, closer to home the
Churnet Valley Living Landscape Partnershp is currently preparing a
LIFE+ bid for £1.5 million; if sucessful this which will also be
used to improve the ecology and appearance of the surrounding
countryside. And it isn't just the aesthetic qualities and
biodiversity that will be improved by these projects, they also aim
to ensure the long-term storage of atmospheric carbon (in blanket
bog), produce plenty of fresh, clean, drinking water; and help to
prevent flood damage in adjacent urban and rural areas. And, of
course all that practical work has positive economic effects as it
povides custom for local businesses, work for local people, and helps
attract visitors to the area. So, for that original investment of
those millions of Euros we get an almost incalcuable return. If you
want to see some of the fantastic habitat restoration that has been
done in the Peak District take a walk up Bleaklow or the paths above
the Goyt Valley and admire the view!
Admiring the view from Bleaklow, one of the moors in the Peak District National Park.
