THREE wildlife havens in Wotton-under-Edge and Dursley are to be excluded from new European environment protection rules, under government proposals.

Stinchcombe Hill, Wotton Hill and Nibley Knoll are three of more than 600 South West Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) the government intends not to include in a list of places to be protected under the Environmental Liability Directive (ELD).

Under the Directive, companies that threaten or cause environmental damage will be held strictly liable for prevention or fixing of the damage at their own expense.

Stinchcombe Hill is renowned for its beautiful landscape and number of wildlife species.

More than 34 different species of butterfly and very rare leaf beetles have been seen on the hill.

And local conservation groups are questioning the government's decision not to include the site in the ELD.

Chris Wiltshire, of Stinchcombe Hill Conservation Group, said: "Stinchcombe Hill is a lovely site for wildlife and walkers alike.

"Its great range of plants species means there are many species, many rare, of wildlife here.

"I do not see why some areas in the country would get greater protection and this site would not."

Critics say ministers are sticking to a minimum number of sites requested by the EU to try and save money.

Labour MP David Drew has launched a campaign to try and force ministers to change their minds by highlighting the potential harm it could cause habitats and species.

He said: "The current proposals paint a gloomy picture for many wildlife sites in the area.

"The laws should be a great opportunity for the Government to introduce rules that will protect our most precious local nature sites and all of our native species.

"I will continue to fight for all SSSIs in my constituency to be given protection under the ELD."

But the government claims protection under the SSSI status is already satisfactory.

A statement from Defra said: "The ELD gives European Member States discretion to bring within its scope any habitat or species not protected under EU legislation which have been designated for equivalent purposes as.

"In the UK, SSSIs satisfy this criteria. To the extent that the features for which a SSSI has been designated for protection overlap with those of the associated EU site.

"It is for the Government to decide whether the discretion provided in the Directive should be exercised, there are no specific requirements.

"The Government's provisional view, taking account to the regulatory impact analysis and wider policy considerations, is that there is not an overwhelming case for goldplating the Directive in this way.

"However, it will take account of any further evidence from respondents to the consultation in taking final decisions."

Anyone wishing to join in the consultation should visit www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/env-liability/index.htm.

The deadline for responses is February 16.