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Will AMs stop the rape of Wales? 19/2/2007
A campaign and petition were launched today to save an outstanding Welsh nature site.
One of the early signatories of the petition writes: "Here is a golden opportunity for AMs to stop the rape of our beautiful country for the benefit of big buisness.Will they have the courage to do so? I pray they will."
The Safe Haven Network today announced the on-line petition to save a protected habitat at Cefn Drum, outside Pontardulais which they say stands on the brink of destruction at the hands of energy giant National Grid.
Jim Dunckley, a local spokesman for the Network, said today: "Cefn Drum, outside Pontardulais, is a huge tract of common land and also a protected natural habitat which lies directly in the path of Phase 2 of the pipeline route.
"The Welsh Assembly has designated it as a habitat of principal importance for the conservation of biological diversity, and as such it is key link in the fragile chain which forms our ecological and cultural inheritance.
"Cefn Drum is a unique and distinct landscape. It shows evidence of prehistoric habitation from Bronze age times onward, and much of the common is dotted with medieval house platforms which date back to the 13th and 14th centuries. On top of all this it's a candidate Site of Importance for Nature Conservation and a priority UK and Local Biodiversity Action Plan site.
"Many of the species that live in these priority habitats are considered to be threatened and irreplaceable. National Grid and it's contractor Nacap Land and Marine are going to destroy this habitat in a matter of weeks. It beggars belief. Does the land of Wales hold any value at all for National Grid?"
"We have a chance to save this landscape as the Welsh Assembly has special powers to protect common land. National Grid will have to go to the Assembly for permission to compulsory purchase the common.
"The Welsh Assembly is unique as it is the first government in the world to have a commitment to sustainability built into it's constitution. As such it has a duty of care to protect our threatened landscapes and combat climate change through encouraging clean and renewable energy sources.
"Just like Phase 1 of this destructive project, Phase 2 will cut through farms, forests, footpaths, conservation areas and even a National Park, and I would urge anyone who values our wild and open spaces and wants a clean energy future for Wales and the rest of the UK to sign our on-line petition."
"Our elected members in the Assembly need to realise that National Grid is not a public utility anymore, it's a private company whose primary commitment is to it's shareholders. It shouldn't have the right to destroy our precious landscapes for naked profit.
"The right of access to our open spaces and a safe and clean environment is a basic human right and the Labour administration in the Assembly should take a stand for social justice and say "No" to National Grid's landgrabbing plans."
The petition can be found at: www.petitiononline.com/cefn1282/petition.html
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