"The idea you can replace ancient woodland with 50cm saplings is nonsense", he said.  "We can't carry on building, building, building."

RT @StopWensumLink: Norfolk County Council’s decision to blame bats for the failure to move forward with the NWL project is as absurd as it…

Norfolk County Council’s decision to blame bats for the failure to move forward with the NWL project is as absurd as it is irresponsible. Instead of owning up to their poor stewardship, they have chosen to scapegoat wildlife, attempting to deflect attention from their own glaring shortcomings. The truth is that this project has not failed because of bats—it has failed because of systemic mismanagement, a lack of proven economic benefits, and costs so excessive that they are utterly indefensible. For years, @NorfolkCC has poured resources into this project without addressing the practical challenges or justifying the financial investment. They have presented no compelling evidence that the project would deliver meaningful economic gains for the area. Instead, what we are left with is a deeply flawed plan that would cause significant environmental devastation without delivering anything close to a sufficient return for taxpayers or the local economy. The project is not a vital infrastructure initiative; it’s a political vanity project being pushed by the Conservative leadership at County Hall. They have relentlessly pursued this misguided effort, wasting public money and resources, while ignoring mounting evidence that it was never a viable plan. What is most frustrating is the lack of accountability. Taxpayers have handed over millions only to see it squandered on chasing a pipe dream rather than addressing real, pressing issues in our community. County Hall must answer for their actions. They have misused their authority to advance a project that is neither necessary nor beneficial for the people they are supposed to serve. Instead of wasting further energy deflecting blame onto wildlife that has no voice to defend itself, the council should focus on owning their errors. Norfolk deserves better leadership—one that prioritises clear and meaningful economic solutions, fosters environmental stewardship, and spends public money with transparency and care. The project has been an abject failure, and it’s time for Norfolk County Council to stop hiding behind excuses and start accepting responsibility for their role in this debacle. The people of Norfolk should demand real change, starting with holding the current Conservative leadership to account for their poor decisions and insist that future projects are based on legitimate need, thorough planning, and a commitment to sustainability. @labourlewis @AliceMLabour @BenGoldsborough @CllrTerryJermy @SteveMorphew @AngelaRayner @Heidi_Labour @DanGrimmer24 @NaturalEngland @guardianeco

The councillors' attempt to link the Marriott's Park housing development with this doomed project (NWL) is completely disingenuous. They have been fully aware for some time that the housing project was never dependent on the NWL being built. This looks like a last-ditch effort to breathe life into a road project that has been rightly scrapped. Trying to conflate the two only undermines their credibility—this isn't about housing or infrastructure; it’s about desperately clinging to a failed plan. @SteveMorphew @DanGrimmer24

RT @StopWensumLink: These revelations about the financial risks facing @NorfolkCC over this doomed Road are deeply troubling. The Conser…

RT @StopWensumLink: Calling for an independent inquiry and the immediate resignation of Cllr Billig @NorfolkCC has repeatedly claimed tha…

RT @StopWensumLink: There has been extensive discussion regarding the need to prioritise national infrastructure development, often at the…

There has been extensive discussion regarding the need to prioritise national infrastructure development, often at the expense of environmental considerations, such as the protection of bats. However, in the case of this doomed project, there are several critical factors that render this road unviable beyond the ecological concerns. First and foremost, the financial implications cannot be ignored. The costs associated with this project are exorbitant, and there is a glaring lack of evidence indicating that it would provide any tangible benefits to the local economy. Furthermore, we must address the significant mismanagement that has plagued this initiative. The council has relied on poor expertise, leading to questionable decision-making at every turn. The political motivations behind this project have also come under scrutiny, with the council facing criticism for the millions already spent on the link road without a clear path forward. As we stand at this juncture, it is imperative that the council reassess its priorities and consider the long-term consequences of its actions, rather than pursuing a project that is increasingly looking like a financial and environmental liability. We urge @NorfolkCC to take these concerns seriously and to engage in a more transparent and responsible approach to infrastructure planning that truly serves the community's best interests. @labourlewis @DanGrimmer24 @CllrTerryJermy @SteveMorphew

RT @RussellB1ggs: @joe_crowley Given the Go-ahead in October 2023 this controversial project will have cost millions + contracts probably s…

RT @joe_crowley: Credit to @NaturalEngland for learning from mistakes on Norwich NDR & protecting nature. But the real hero here is @LottyP…

RT @joe_crowley: This is huge. But it was always clear that the scheme couldn’t mitigate for the impact on rare & protected wildlife after…

RT @AndyDAgorne: @lukejcr @RachaelMaskell important people understand the crucial role of @NaturalEngland in relation to new developments @…

Calling for an independent inquiry and the immediate resignation of Cllr Billig @NorfolkCC has repeatedly claimed that Natural England’s decision-making process regarding the Norwich Western Link Road project was delayed because of updated guidance on the definition of Favourable Conservation Status (FCS). We have always maintained that this narrative is untrue and deeply misleading. Now, thanks to a letter from Mary Creagh CBE MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Nature, dated 17 December 2024 and addressed to Councillor Billig, we can confirm the council's claims are entirely unfounded. The letter makes it abundantly clear that @NaturalEngland (NE) consistently raised serious environmental concerns throughout this project. These issues were communicated in detail to Norfolk County Council over a prolonged period. Specifically, these concerns included the potential impact of the project on barbastelle bats, protected sites, air quality, and soils. NE’s advice regarding the first draft bat licence in July 2023 was that they lacked sufficient information to approve it. By March 2024, their second draft licence application received a ‘not satisfied’ response due to persistent gaps in the required evidence, despite NE working closely with the developer and their consultants to resolve these issues. Crucially, the letter explicitly states that the publication of the FCS definition did not alter NE’s consistent advice. Nearly all the evidence included in the FCS definition was publicly available and known to NE as far back as June 2023. The developers’ and consultants’ failure to address NE’s concerns—not the updated guidance—was the real issue. By December 2023, NE had become increasingly frustrated with the developer’s inability to undertake adequate surveys and consider critical environmental impacts. NE went so far as to provide a summary of unresolved issues to assist the developers in complying with legal requirements. Yet these clear warnings went unheeded. The letter also highlighted that Natural England had consistently made clear they were unlikely to grant a European Protected Species licence, which ultimately led to NE’s objection to the planning application in August 2024. The real reasons for the failure of the Norwich Western Link project—and the resulting enormous waste of public resources—are painfully clear. Norfolk County Council’s mismanagement, refusal to listen to professional advice, and reliance on poor-quality surveys are the root causes. The council’s attempts to shift blame onto Natural England are nothing more than a smokescreen to distract from their own shortcomings. We reiterate our demand for a fully independent inquiry into this catastrophic failure, which has not only cost taxpayers dearly but has also severely undermined local environmental protections. Furthermore, we call for Councillor Billig to immediately resign. Norfolk deserves accountable leadership, not excuses and scapegoating. The public deserves better. @labourlewis @AliceMLabour @BenGoldsborough @CllrTerryJermy @SteveMorphew @AngelaRayner @Heidi_Labour @DanGrimmer24 @NaturalEngland @guardianeco

RT @StopWensumLink: Back to school for our local MP! @JeromeMayhew comments about @NaturalEngland are fundamentally misplaced and inaccur…

RT @doctorpallavi: Pity the council wasted huge amounts of taxpayers’ money on this project which had huge ecological red flags from the st…

Back to school for our local MP! @JeromeMayhew comments about @NaturalEngland are fundamentally misplaced and inaccurate, painting a distorted picture of the organisation and its role in infrastructure projects. Referring to Natural England as an “unelected quango” is not only misleading but demonstrates a profound misunderstanding of how environmental governance operates in the UK. It is important to clarify a few points. While his frustration and that of some of Norfolk residents are clear, labelling Natural England as an “unelected quango” does not give an accurate picture of how it operates or its purpose. Natural England is a public body tasked with safeguarding the environment, including protected species and habitats. It works under the guidance of laws that Parliament itself has passed, such as the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Its board members are appointed by government ministers, which makes them accountable within the governmental framework—not an independent or rogue entity acting without oversight. When discussing delays, it is crucial to understand that Natural England does nor act arbitrarily. Its reviews and decisions are guided by scientific evidence and it is responsibility to advise on legal obligations towards wildlife and ecosystems. The status of particular species, like bats, is often a complex matter, influenced by changes in population, habitat, and conservation assessments. These are not decisions made lightly or without justification; they reflect the changing dynamics of the natural world. It is also worth acknowledging that environmental assessments and protections are not about obstructing progress but about finding ways to develop responsibly. Responsible development ensures that infrastructure projects like roads do not come at the cost of irreparable harm to the environment or the species that depend on it. These protections are not barriers; they are safeguards that reflect the values of a society committed to sustainable development. We all want timely solutions to infrastructure challenges. Natural England is required to ensure that these solutions respect legal frameworks and environmental commitments. Rather than seeing this as a roadblock, perhaps it is an opportunity to build better—taking into account the needs of both Norfolk’s communities and its natural heritage. @labourlewis @SteveMorphew @DanGrimmer24 @BBCNorfolk