My disgust at the desecration of our natural environment and its few remaining protections

My art has never been political. In fact, in truth, it’s only ever really been pretty pictures of animals and landscapes that otherwise have lacked a raw emotion. It has been a representation of what I’ve seen, connected with and been inspired by, but otherwise has been more a product of my desire to prove I can create with a technique (possibly a deep seated need to prove myself following an overly critical art teacher at school) than anything.

This year, that’s changed. Maybe it’s because I’ve had my daughter. I’m definitely more emotional and in touch with my sensitive side. But my perspective on the future and awareness for what we have and how fragile it is, is magnified, the importance of the outdoors and nature in helping to keep me sane is all the more important. A safe space away from the pressures and stress of the modern world. Yet, it isn’t safe, facing pressure like never before from climate change, human activity and government policy.

So, while I have been experimenting and continuing that desire to fine tune techniques and my response to the beautiful landscapes of North Wales where we now live, I have also found a new conversation with my practice. I’m in the process of developing a body of work that translates my desperation and fear of loss; loss of a safe space, loss of our landscapes and natural spaces and a loss of that for my daughter in the future. This is mainly centred around trees and the ongoing fascination I have with them.

I haven’t been brave enough to carry it forward publicly and am only just bringing it into my printmaking. Maybe because it’s new, maybe because of a fear of being judged, maybe from losing members of my community who don’t engage in this conversation, and even as a result of changing my expectations from creating something pretty to something that exposes my emotions and vulnerability. But given the ongoing political rhetoric on nature, now seems like the right time.

This autumn, I will be exhibiting in Halesworth and Epping galleries. The body of work I’m building up to emanates the sentiments in this post. It gives me a deadline to actually do something with this feeling and translate ideas and sketches into a visual conversation.

In the meantime, I’m publishing my letter to the government in response to the Fingleton Review and threats to Habitat Regulations, protected landscapes and species, a campaign headed up by the Wildlife Trusts and other NGO’s:

Dear the Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP

Only on Tuesday Sir Kier Starmer stated that ‘The fight coming in politics, the REAL fight, is not in the Labour Party, it’s with .. Reform. The politics of divide, divide, grievance, grievance, grievance that will tear our country apart”. These were strong words but possibly hypocritical given that we now find ourselves once again fighting for nature, for our natural environment and our landscapes because of Labour’s obsession with growth, no matter the consequences or reliability of the evidence base. A rhetoric on nature that sounds similar to statements trotted out by the party that apparently needs to be fought, and one that is now well worn by the current government. I am deeply worried by this and the lack of fight in the Government for an important part of Britain: our identity, our culture, our history and our love of nature. A lack of fight to protect what we have should another party with less vision for climate and nature win the next election.

As someone passionate about our landscapes, ecology and rural heritage, I am deeply worried by the proposed recommendations in the Fingelton Review. I cannot see how it presents a win-win for nature and development, particularly when it puts our most treasured and protected landscapes and species at risk and could be rolled out across multiple government strategies without there actually being a clear, joined up strategy. The irony!

I am troubled by the fact the government is considering these recommendations given what has already been written into law through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Particularly, at a time when we are so aware of how nature depleted England is, the social and economic benefits nature brings, our legal commitment to restoring 30% of our wildlife by 2030 (balancing this with development and food security) and the promise from Labour that they would strive to reverse natural decline and strengthen wildlife protections in their election campaign.

We must ensure that we continue to protect irreplaceable habitats whilst enhancing our biodiversity and providing infrastructure that meets the needs of local communities. We can’t simply rip up one area and rebuild it somewhere else. Nature doesn’t work like that. Just like we can’t be relocated to a country with a different culture and be expected to carry on living as we were.

There needs to be areas in the UK that are safe from development to allow nature and people to breathe. Our protected landscapes and sites are just that. And as the government promised, they need to be wilder, greener and more accessible to all. Rolling back protections not only goes against election promises but against what the government has already committed to in writing in the last three months (e.g. Mary Creagh, 4 December 2025), and risks damaging the social and health capital of these places, too. This would be another disastrous U-turn if it were to happen, and one for which millions of people will be angered and upset.

I have written multiple times over the last year with regards to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, having never lobbied government before. I feel so sad that in a day and age where we have more knowledge than ever about the state of nature, our relationship with it and our interdependence on it, that these policies and recommendations are even being considered.

I do not expect to receive a reply as every time I write to you or your office, I do not receive a response. Conversely, the Lords and MP’s from other parties have always taken time to reply. I hope, at least, this is read and digested.