'Ambitious plans' laid out following environmental analysis

Leaders at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have outlined "ambitious plans" to boost nature across the UK, following an environmental analysis.

Having surveyed the damage done to habitats and green areas across Britain, Defra has set out a number of measures in its Natural Choice White Paper to improve the way people connect with the environment.

As part of the proposals, up to 12 Nature Improvement Areas will share £7.5 million of funding in an attempt to transform urban and rural regions.

Environment secretary Caroline Spelman said the value of nature needs to be considered when big decisions involving construction are made.

"Nature belongs to us all and we've all got a vested interest in protecting it," she remarked.

News of this action comes shortly after another environmental analysis revealed that the UK's wildlife and green space is largely taken for granted and undervalued, with the ecosystem worth billions of pounds to the economy.

Posted by Claire Manning