A petition boasting nearly 500 signatures calling for special consideration to be given to peatland as part of any future development has been presented in Parliament.
Organised by the Friends of Lindow Moss, the petition wants peatland recognised from an environmental perspective in terms of its unique biodiversity and natural carbon capture ability.
The group want a special development strategy for peatland to be included in the upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
Tatton MP Esther McVey, who is supporting the group, presented the petition.
She said: “I want to thank all the 486 signatories to the petition and the Friends of Lindow Moss. Local residents have campaigned for years to protect Lindow Moss in Tatton, a site made famous by the discovery of the preserved Iron Age body known as Lindow Pete.
“The petition rests on the premise that we must protect sites of environmental and ecological significance and that we cannot allow the destruction of sites of natural carbon capture. We must ensure that the ecological and environmental benefits of peatlands remain for generations to come.”
Globally a quarter of peatlands have been completely destroyed and a further 12 per cent drained or degraded. The UK is in the top ten countries for peatland area, covering 12 per cent of land area – but yet 80 per cent of UK peat bogs are now degraded. Restoration is vital for the UK.
Ms McVey added: “Lindow Moss is our local treasure and I will continue to support the Friends of Lindow Moss in any way I can.”
The petition comes weeks after Cheshire East Council rejected a development to build on peatland Danes Moss in Macclesfield.
Campaigners fear there is a danger the land is seen as “easy” to build on, despite that not being the case.
