In Spring 2021 Norfolk Wildlife Trust submitted an application to Natural England to designate an area of woodland on the proposed Norwich Western Link Road route as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The application takes into consideration the importance of the area for wildlife, particularly for the rare and highly protected barbastelle bats.

Sadly, the proposed route amendment for the Norwich Western Link Road put forward by Norfolk County Council to avoid some ancient and veteran trees does not address the concerns regarding the impact on wildlife that have been raised for years. Barbastelle bats rely heavily on the landscape to survive, feeding and roosting across areas of more than six kilometres deep in the woodland, making it their unique natural habitat. The species faces a serious decline globally, and the maternity colony we have here in Norfolk is one of the most significant in Europe.

This comes at a time when senior Conservative MPs have requested for Natural England to be stripped of its powers. They want an overhaul of how the agency manages England's best wildlife sites, just because of complaints from some landowners. Wildlife experts are outraged at the suggestion that politics, rather than science, could determine the management of the most important areas for nature in the country, the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

The Tory MP Sir Geoffrey Cox is pushing for an inquiry to review how Natural England manages the SSSIs on Dartmoor, and even the former environment secretary George Eustice suggests that Natural England's powers could be weakened now that the UK has left the EU.

This situation has raised concerns that, in the future, decisions regarding SSSIs management could lean towards politically expedient choices rather than those that prioritise nature. Some are worried that the financial interests of landowners may clash with Nature England’s advice for good management of SSSIs.

In conclusion, the decision to designate the area of woodland on the Norwich Western Link Road route as an SSSI and SAC recognises how important it is for the preservation of the barbastelle bats and other precious wildlife species. It is essential to leave the management of SSSIs sites to independent agencies like Natural England that rely on science, free from political influence, to make the right choices for nature conservation.

If you share concern over the erosion of this valuable protection please sign and share our petition.