Natural England? Who are they? SUA appear hoisted by their own Petard.
Posted by Gerard on January 7, 2026, 4:51 pm
As I said to Sarah from NA today; "One hesitates to make the observation "Pentagon Paper Mentality in a Gauleiter state"!
"Dear SUA The two references given are for Natural England and Darren Paffey, Harefield's MP, respectively, this case does not currently have a ref. with the LPA. It has come to our attention that the Harefield Community Centre (HCC) has been sold for development and that works began to clear the site shortly before christmas 2025. I have video documented the site over a number of years and was both instrumental and interviewed with regard to exposing its parlous condition to the local media (Daily Echo) some years ago, to view videos please see #HarefieldCommunityCentreLocalDisgrace playlist on Wolf's Head Video via You Tube. My last documentation revealed the savage nature of the habitat destruction and biodiversity reduction carried out by Mr Gajar and his employees, quote; "Dear Mr. Hales, Thank you for your email. I agree with you. It is exceptionally disappointing that due to legal oversight HCC has been sold to a developer. Mr. Gajar I believe. It is very difficult to think of any land in Harefield which could be used for some sort of community centre. I am hoping to find out more about any potential discussions next week. Kind regards, Peter Baillie (Harefeiled Councilor)" According to Natural England, quote; "Good morning Mr Hales, thank you for your email and for raising your concerns about the proposed development site at Harefield Community Centre.
I have checked Southampton City Councils planning portal and cannot find any planning applications for this development; therefore, Natural England will not have been consulted as yet (I have searched our consultations and cannot find anything for this proposal). I have also checked our licence database and cannot find any species licences for this site, though these will not have been applied for if the development hasn't gone through the planning process as yet.
Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) are responsible for consulting with Statutory Consultees if a planning application has the potential to impact on a feature within their remit. LPAs should consult Natural England if a proposed development is in or likely to affect a SSSI; likely to have significant effects on a SAC, SPA or Ramsar wetland (or a potential SPA, a possible SAC or a proposed Ramsar wetland); likely to significantly affect the objectives of a MCZ - NE.ORG
They will also need to do a habitats regulations assessment - GOV.UK to check the effects of the development against the site's conservation objectives - NE.ORG for SACs, SPAs, Ramsar wetlands, potential SPAs, possible SACs or proposed Ramsar wetlands. The Planning Portal - GOV.UK provides an overview of the planning system." Especially as I am an eye witness to the transit of badgers on to the site and reported this fact to both local councilors and my MP several months before the clearing began I am very concerned that even the most basic environmental standards are not being upheld or legal obligations complied with. I ask that the planning department review the situation as a matter of urgency, I will also be reporting the matter to the local police (as advised by Natural England when I raised the matter with them today -07/01/2026-). I have submitted a petition for approval asking that all works be suspended on the site until the sale and development of the land be properly review and that those concerned have been assured that all necessary environmental strictures and regulations (both in spirit and materially) have been adhered to.
regards Gerard Hales"
I have submitted this to the Local Planning Authority and both Natural England and my MP have case ref. the issue. Qui bono that £300,00) that council were "forced" to spend bying it back from the "community truat" who paid a token £1 for it then invested nothing in the site for over 15 years?
on January 7, 2026, 4:51 pm