It’s a haven for elk, wolf, bears, lynx and bird life. But it’s about to be destroyed by a motorway. Ros Coward reports from Biebrza in Poland on the threat to one of Europe’s last wild places

May in the Biebrza marshes of north-east Poland is as near to a nature lover’s paradise as Europe has to offer. It’s an immense, complex area with 250 kilometres of river, rare raised bogs, and water meadows surrounded by the remnants of ancient forests which provide cover for migrating bears, wolves and lynxes.

Full article: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/may/19/highereducation.biologicalscience

The government’s proposed relaxation of planning controls will spell environmental disaster

Anyone under the illusion that the British countryside is in safe hands had better think again, and fast. The developers are on the offensive, claiming they need to build on more greenfield sites. The government has bowed to the pressure and is proposing an ill-thought-out reform of planning controls, which would guarantee that the south-east would be concreted over. Behind these so-called reforms is the architect of another fiasco, Lord Falconer of the Dome. He is currently appearing before a House of Commons select committee, protesting that of course the government wants sustainability. Look, he says, the green paper mentions it on the first page. That is practically the only mention – but “business” appears 50 times.

Full article: http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2002/may/08/greenpolitics.housing