Labour pledges to give local communities the right to buy derelict land and turn it into green space, in an effort to improve access to nature country wide.

“Nature is under threat”, says shadow environment secretary, Steve Reed. “Our children and grandchildren deserve to be astounded by the magnificence of our landscapes and coastlines and enjoy our iconic wildlife, just as we can.”

Reed highlighted the recent decline in wildlife and nature across the UK as a key reason for the necessity of this change in direction.

Councils will be given new guidance to support local groups in taking over derelict buildings and degraded land under a community right to buy.

While people have the right to bid on such land already, the Labour party believes the six-month window in which to raise funds is too short, putting potential communities off.

The party intends to double this time period, giving communities 12 months to raise the necessary funds. As well as offering additional support to the councils to use this scheme.

Labour’s countryside protection plan would also include the planting of three new national forests, the introduction of tree-planting and flood resilience task forces.

As well as a ban on bee-killing pesticides, improved access to waterways and a commitment to revive wetlands and peat bogs.

The Wildlife Trusts responds to Labour’s manifesto, saying it is “pleased to see some essential steps to restoring nature included,” and that it is a “welcome start”.

The conservation charity goes on to encourage “all political parties to now set out their plans to tackle the nature crisis.”