Matthew Relf, an Independent Candidate in the forthcoming East Midland Combined Authority election has slammed the Conservative Government for relaxing the rules for developers over water pollution. Councillor Relf claims any rule change is ‘absurd’ and claims it will just make the region’s reservoirs and rivers ‘worse than they already are.’ He is calling for the Government to U-turn before an ecological disaster.
Councillor Relf, a councillor in Ashfield said, “Our reservoirs and rivers are already full of pollution. Who in Government thought it a good idea to relax planning laws at this time is bonkers. The Tories now aren’t even hiding the fact they are in the pocket of land owners and developers. In Ashfield, we have seen open water swimming cancelled at Kings Mill Reservoir because of worries that swimmers will be swimming in harmful waters. The Conservative Government answer to the sewage scandal is to make it easier for developers to pollute. It beggars belief!”
Pollution in rivers across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire is likely to be a big feature in the Mayoral Election. Rivers like the Derwent, Leen, Maun Soar, Trent, Wye are a huge part of the Cities and Counties.
Matthew continued, “Let us be clear, this change is about protecting the profits of a few at the expense of the environment for all of us. It’s crazy, illogical and needs a re-think. Weakening limits on chemicals from sewage and farm run-offs is a sign that the Tories have given up on protecting our waterways. The rules that the Tories plan to scrap, limit the amount of harmful chemicals that make their way into rivers. We need the right development, in the right places, built in the right way. We need to protect our natural spaces for residents and attract tourism right across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.”
