Open Letter to EHDC

 

Dear East Herts District Council,

​

I am writing to you not only as the Member of Parliament for North East Hertfordshire, but also as a passionate advocate for our natural heritage and the local communities who cherish it.

​

Time and again, constituents have raised with me their deep concern about the protection of our natural heritage. They speak of the importance of safeguarding ancient trees, ponds teeming with life, and the habitats of rare and endangered species. They also speak of a growing frustration—that in this day and age, those who damage our environment often seem to get away with it.

​

Recently, I visited a site in Furneux Pelham that once stood as a beautiful garden, rich with biodiversity. It was home to longstanding trees, a pond, and a variety of wildlife including owls, frogs and reportedly even great crested newts—a protected species. That site has since been devastated. The trees are gone. The pond is gone. The wildlife has been displaced or destroyed. All of this appears to have happened without the proper processes being followed, in a conservation area administrated by the Green Party no less.

​

My constituents deserve better.

​

I am joining local residents in calling on East Herts District Council to take urgent, proactive steps to ensure that our precious natural spaces are properly protected. This includes:

• Stronger enforcement of environmental and conservation regulations.

• Clearer accountability for those who damage protected habitats.

• Better communication with residents about what protections are in place and how they are being upheld.

• Swift action when breaches occur, so that justice is not delayed or denied.
   

Our local environment is not just a backdrop to our lives—it is part of our identity, our wellbeing, and our legacy. We must do our utmost to protect it.

​

Yours sincerely,
Chris Hinchliff MP
Member of Parliament for North East Hertfordshire