Comment UK July 2008

July 2008

 * Higher standards for Eco towns - s step in the right direction, CPRE, July 24


 * Government publication of 10 renewable energy options for the Severn Estuary welcome, FoE, July 24 topic


 * Nature protection should be at the heart of eco-town guidance, say The Wildlife Trusts, July 23 Eco-towns need to be sensitively sited and designed, with nature at their heart, so they deal with the challenge of climate change, but remain desirable to the communities who will live in them. It is imperative that local people can make their voices heard during the planning process if an eco-town scheme is to work. The chosen locations must not destroy natural assets, but two of the proposals on the Government’s current shortlist would damage important wildlife sites, including two Wildlife Trust nature reserves. Philippa Lyons, chief executive of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxon Wildlife Trust: "Whilst we are not opposed to the concept of eco-towns, the current plans for this development take in not only our own nature reserve, but also another area of nationally protected grassland and ancient woodland. If the scheme goes ahead and those sites are affected it sends out an extremely damaging message about what the Government considers to be 'sustainable' development. How anyone can call this an 'eco' town is completely beyond belief."


 * CPRE welcomes Matthew Taylor’s report on rural communities, July 23 ‘It is so refreshing to read a report which puts long term planning, local distinctiveness, and community consent at the heart of its recommendations,’ Tom Oliver, Head of Rural Policy at CPRE. topic


 * "Housing something like a million people over the next 20 years in the South East may be a challenge too far." CPRE, July 17 " We are concerned about the sheer scale of the development proposed, and its impact on the countryside and quality of life." topic, place


 * North East Plan: the government gambles on the region's future, CPRE, July 15 topic, place


 * Government proposals to abolish the ‘need test’ for town centre planning a serious threat to local retail diversity and choice, CPRE, July 10 topic


 * Forum:Involving the public in future food policy, started July 9


 * No real rights in empowerment white paper, FoE, July 9 topic


 * Government "having a massive runway wobble" say Greenpeace in response to the announcement that a decision on the expansion of Heathrow airport is to be delayed until the end of the year, July 8 topic


 * Science the winner as Government rejects a badger cull, The Wildlife Trusts, July 7 topic