The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) and the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), have released mixed reactions to Natural England’s two recent policy statements – State of the Natural Environment and Manifesto for the Natural Environment – which call for a new approach to conservation, in light of climate change and urban development.

The CLA has accused Natural England of taking an unbalanced approach to sustainable development.

The State of the Natural Environment report says 20 per cent of England’s landscapes show signs of neglect, and that a lack of woodland management has resulted in a 50 per cent decline in native woodland butterflies. Other habitats are also deteriorating – with only three per cent of grasslands remaining rich in native plants and several species of birds in unprotected lowland, wetland and grassland are in steep decline. In addition, some species are moving northward and or upward to higher altitudes to avoid the increased temperatures caused by climate change.

In response to the report, CLA deputy president William Worsley said: “Natural England has only focused on the environmental aspects of sustainable development and continues to ignore economic development and the rural community.” Tom Oliver, CPRE’s head of rural policy, is in agreement and is disappointed that the quality of landscape and the protection of human habitat in the countryside is given little prominence.

However, Tony Burton, director of strategy and external affairs at the National Trust, has welcomed the call by Natural England for urgent action, saying: “The pressures on our land and wildlife are increasing from the impacts of climate change, intensive agriculture and plans for new build developments.”

Natural England’s Manifesto for the Natural Environment , outlines proposals for a better use of the green belt, more public funding for farmers, environmentally friendly farming and a plan for a new national park around England’s coastline – which the CLA is questioning, due to potential losses for country businesses.

Despite apparent gaps in the manifesto, it seems most environmental bodies support the call by Natural England for action to protect wildlife habitats, but the CLA feels it targets landowners unfairly, blaming them for the decline in woodland species. The CLA says woodland cannot be effectively managed if it is not maintained as a viable business.

Dr Helen Phillips, chief executive of Natural England, said: “We need to find ways to manage our landscape so we can help wildlife survive. If we don’t act, there’s a real danger some of our most precious wildlife will be lost forever and our lives will be the poorer for it.”

• A recent report, published by The National Trust, calls for more efficient use of land to meet competing demands for food production, wildlife conservation and public access to open spaces.

The report, Green Spaces – Measuring the Benefits, calls on bodies such as Natural England to lead a new approach to land management – with a particular focus on areas under pressure from increased urban development.

Photograph: Countryside agency/Caroline Shipsey