Budget cuts threaten the future of Somerset’s cherished landscapes, raising concerns among conservationists and local leaders.
Somerset: The future of a beloved beauty spot in Somerset is looking pretty grim. Planned government budget cuts are putting these stunning landscapes at risk. The UK has 46 national landscapes, and they cover a significant chunk of England, including some gorgeous coastlines.
In Somerset, we have three national landscapes: the Blackdown Hills, the Quantock Hills, and the Mendip Hills. But now, with the government’s spending review, these areas are facing some serious funding cuts. It’s a tough situation, especially since the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is set to see its budget slashed.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently announced that Defra’s budget will drop by nearly 2% in real terms over the next couple of years. This means national landscapes are bracing for a 12% cut to their funds. That’s a big deal for conservation efforts.
Jim Hardcastle, who manages the Mendip Hills National Landscape team, is really worried. He says these cuts will make it much harder to do the important conservation work needed to protect our environment. He believes these landscapes can help tackle climate issues, but without funding, it’s going to be a struggle.
He’s not alone in his concerns. The Mendip Hills team is small, just ten people, and they’re already feeling the pressure. If funding gets cut, they might not be able to keep up with their work, and that could lead to job losses.
Interestingly, national landscapes attract more visitors than all the national parks in the UK combined, yet they get only a fraction of the funding. They’ve already seen a 40% budget cut since 2010, and more cuts would make it even harder to secure external funding for projects like the upgrades to Cheddar Gorge.
Andy Wear, the chairman of the Mendip Hills National Landscape Partnership, is also sounding the alarm. He says that if funding dries up, all the important work like hedge laying and dry-stone wall building will come to a halt, and that’s going to hurt the environment.
These landscapes are under a lot of pressure from farming and development, especially with housing growth in places like Cheddar and Wells. John Watkins from the National Landscapes Association points out that despite past advice to increase funding, nothing has changed, and now we’re facing even more cuts.
Local MP Tessa Munt is stepping up to fight for these landscapes. She believes they’re a valuable asset that needs protection and funding. She’s questioning how the government plans to support these areas when they’re already struggling.
As we face a climate emergency, cutting funding for these vital landscapes seems counterproductive. Tessa plans to write to the environment secretary to advocate for better support for national landscapes.
Looking ahead, there’s a Climate and Nature Bill coming up that could force the government to meet strict environmental targets. It’s a crucial time for Somerset’s landscapes, and everyone is hoping for a positive outcome.
