'Bin the bulldozer bill': Environmental campaigners urge Newark MP Robert Jenrick to bin 'environmentally harmful' Retained EU Law Bill

This Sunday protestors will call upon Newark MP Robert Jenrick to help end what they term a potentially environmentally harmful legislation.

Organised by the campaign group, Protect Newark’s Green Spaces (PNGS), the rally will take place on Sunday January 29 to demand government withdraw the Retained EU Law Bill, which the group describes as an attack on nature.

It is hoped that hundreds of residents will turn out to support the rally — which will pass by some of Newark's at risk green spaces and finish up at Robert Jenrick's office at the Newark YMCA where speeches will be delivered.

There will be two meeting points to join the rally; Newark Library Gardens at 1pm and from Heron Way Carpark in Balderton at 1.30pm.

The protests are also are supported by The Woodland Trust, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, the Balderton Lake campaign Saving Wildlife and Nature (SWAN), Extinction Rebellion and LASSIPCO, the campaign for the former Lilley & Stone School.

With over 1,000 laws protecting nature and wildlife at risk if the bill is passed, say the groups, they argue ancient woodlands and vulnerable animals would be endangered as well as possibly increasing sewage disposal on our rivers and coastlines and the increased use of pesticides.

Adam Cormack, head of campaigning at The Woodland Trust, said: “At the end of 2023, protections for some of the UK’s most important wildlife sites are due to be removed according to the Government’s EU Laws Bill, with still no details on what will take their place.

“The main place currently protected by these laws in Nottinghamshire is Sherwood Forest. Local people must understand what is at stake here. We encourage everyone to come along to the rally this Sunday so they can understand more about what is happening and what local treasures are at threat.”

Banners, placards, whistles and drums are welcome and this is said to be a family-friendly event.

PNGS plans to fill special postbags with children’s posters and artwork, whilst copies of an open letter will be available to sign on the day.

These postbags will be handed into Robert Jenrick’s office as the rally finale.

PNGS campaigner, Emma Oldham said: “With the Retained EU Law Bill going through its final stages in the House of Commons, this is a crucial moment to support.

“Nottinghamshire is suffering from a nature and climate emergency and the UK is currently one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. To save Britain’s wildlife, MPs must kill this bill.

"Please join us to demand that our local MP calls for a withdrawal of this harmful legislation immediately.”