19/11/2021
Rupert Manley's speech at the protest (sorry the beginning of his speech is cut off). We asked him for the transcript of his speech and here it is.
"The issues at stake here are a matter of principle, of respect for our planning system and for our natural environment. Unfortunately Carbis Bay Hotel seems to think it is above all that and has chosen to ignore the usual protocol and to defy the planning refusal of three years ago. This sorry episode has highlighted major deficiencies in our planning system, particularly when it comes to the protection of nature. Currently, unless there is some designation on a site or a rare protected plant or creature is found, development usually trumps nature. Of course there are many regulations seemingly to protect it but all too often all they achieve is its sanctioned destruction.
Let's give an example, that happened up on the cliffs right behind us. To build these luxury apartments, a legally protected badger sett just above was a bit too close. Rather than adapt the development to accommodate them, a licence was obtained from Natural England for part of the sett to be destroyed. After the work was done, the remaining part of the sett was supposed to be reopened.
But guess what? When the meeting room fiasco kicked off, a badger expert could find no evidence of any badger setts. So, what happened? Just another example of nature literally being bulldozed aside to make way for “progress”, to keep the engines of the “great British economy” turning.
But nature has had enough, and unless we fundamentally change the way we live and fundamentally change our relationship with the natural environment of our only home, Mother Earth will exert her terrible revenge.
The fundamental change in the way we live of course needs to begin in our own homes but part of it should be a drastic overhaul in our planning system. For a start, this ridiculous loophole, where a developer can bulldoze nature aside and then apply for retrospective planning permission, needs to be closed.
Another big change that needs to happen is for wildlife habitat to be far better protected. Scrub is a much undervalued but vital habitat. All too often we see it as wasteland when it is absolutely not.
So, areas such as this, let alone trees and woodland, should automatically be protected, unless there is some overriding collective need to develop for the greater good, which clearly isn't the case here.
We need to vastly improve the odds for nature in its one-sided struggle against the human tide.
If we make room for nature, She will make room for us. It is that simple. We can all help, as we are today, by speaking up for nature, by objecting and protesting any plans to destroy it.
There are unfortunately many other, equally outrageous planning issues – the hotel and holiday apartments at Consols for one - which is still open to objections, by the way.
Here, at Carbis Bay, we now have another opportunity to make our voice heard.
Please use it – nature needs you!" Rupert Manley 14.11.21
