Cornwall leads the way with the Environmental Growth Strategy

Cornwall leads the way with the Environmental Growth Strategy because nature does a lot for Cornwall.

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Nature Partnership (CIoSLNP) and Cornwall Council have officially launched Cornwall’s ‘Environmental Growth Strategy’ which aims to encourage businesses, communities and individuals to work together to increase environmental, social and economic prosperity in Cornwall. A first of its kind, environmental growth is focused on helping nature to do more for us.

Formally launching the Strategy at this year’s Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Nature Partnership Annual Conference on 2 December,  Edwina Hannaford, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning, told delegates “This Environmental Growth Strategy is not just a Council document: it is a strategy to ensure Cornwall has a sustainable future.”

“This is important because we continue to witness the decline of nature in Cornwall” added Professor Kevin Gaston, co-chair of the Local Nature Partnership.  “Once common species, such as the hedgehog are becoming increasingly rare.  We need environmental growth because protection has not proved to be enough; we are committed to leaving Cornwall in a better state than we inherited it in.”

Matthew Thomson, co-chair of the CIoSLNP, also urged everyone to do their bit; “We rely on Cornwall’s environment and natural systems for food, clean air, water and to underpin our quality of life: Cornwall’s brand is defined by our location and unique environment.“ he said. “Nature does a lot for us…. We must do all we can for nature” .

Councillor Hannaford is making sure the Council is leading action on the Strategy delivery. “This is a Strategy for every business, every community and every individual person in Cornwall to put into action to help deliver environmental growth in their sectors, neighbourhoods and lives.

“There are many ways the Council can help to deliver environmental growth.  Our first major success is that we have recently secured £3.5million of European Regional Development Funds to match Council funding to create nature-rich habitats across a number of public open spaces as part of the our Green Infrastructure for Growth project; making them better places for wildlife and for people.” 

Following the formal launch of the Strategy at the conference, a wide range of businesses, individuals and organisations pledged to also do their bit towards achieving environmental growth in Cornwall.

To find out more about the strategy and what you can do to help see  www.cornwall.gov.uk/environmentalgrowth

NOTE: This project is benefiting from European Regional Development Fund

The project has received up to £2,800,000 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Department for Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund.

Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.  For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.