by political editor Paul Francis

The government has announced plans for a new protected nature zone in the Thames Marshes – right where there are proposals for a new airport.

The move could put a major obstacle in front of the schemes being floated for a new hub airport in the area.

Envrionment secretary Caroline Spelman has announced that the Thames Marshes is to be one of 12 Nature Improvement Areas as part of a commitment to improve the quality of the natural environment across England.

It will receive a share of a £7.5m grant to create wildlife havens, restore habitats and encourage local people to get involved with nature.

The move will come as good news for those opposed to the various airport plans as it is likely to strengthen the argument that the area is too important environmentally to allow it to be built over.

The Thames Marshes are viewed as important to migrating birds throughout northern Europe. The government says the zone will "create and enhance grazing marsh, salt marsh and mudflat habitats."

A cross-section of Lord Foster's plans for a new Thames Estuary airport

Ms Spelman said: "Each of these projects has something different to offer – from the urban areas of Birmingham and the Black Country to the rivers and woods of North Devon; from marshes, coalfields and wetlands to woodland and arable chalkland and grassland.

"The exciting wildlife projects are the result of different organisations all working together with a common purpose – to safeguard our wildlife for generations to come."

The Thames Marshes zone includes the coastline at the Isle of Grain, which could be at the heart of the Lord Foster scheme for a four-runway £20bn hub airport.

The NIAs were awarded funding by a panel of experts, led by Professor Sir John Lawton, and were a key commitment of the government’s Natural Environment White Paper.