Category Archives: Health
Well-being – a test of joined up Government
This morning saw the publication of a further update of the Government’s proposed measures of national well-being or ‘happiness index’ as it has become known in some quarters. Visitors to the ONS website will not lack for quantities of data … Continue reading
Play your part to help stop the spread of tree diseases
It’s not often in my line of work that you get asked to be in film – and if I am honest it’s not something I would normally jump at either! But in this case I was more than delighted … Continue reading
Why urban trees matter!
Have any of you been watching the brilliant BBC programme The 70′s? A really thought provoking series that came home for me quite literally, when they featured Hyson Green’s ‘streets in the sky’ in Nottingham. Why? Well, my mum grew up there … Continue reading
Does biodiversity make your skin itch?
When we say that biodiversity is important, and that contact with nature is good for our mental and physical health, we are often expressing an intuitive sense that ‘it just must be’. A recently published study provides further evidence of … Continue reading
Time to recognise happiness grows on trees
Will green spaces with trees get the recognition they deserve in the official ‘happiness’ consultation? The Government’s public health white paper ‘healthy lives, healthy people’ (published last year) recognised that trees are officially good for your health, and the importance … Continue reading
There is strength in unity
A new report will form the basis for policy discussions on a whole range of issues related to our trees and woods over the coming months. The State of the UK’s Forests, Woods and Trees report, led by the Woodland … Continue reading
Planning (S)D-Day
After an eventful consultation period the consultation deadline for the Draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) arrived on Monday 17th October. Over the 12 weeks the debate got heated on all sides, from the government, the business lobby and environmental … Continue reading
Campaigning with inks, chalks and oils
The ‘Creative’ corner on our website has been quietly amassing an impressive body of work. There are lots of ways to make a change for the better – from simply raising an alarm and building awareness of an issue, to directly influencing … Continue reading
The new planning rules battle
Few can have missed the headlines and increasingly heated discussions around new proposals to change the planning system this week. Shrinking over 1,100 pages of planning guidance down to just over 50, the thrust of the Government’s new National Planning Policy … Continue reading
Still woodwatching at Stansted
It took ten years of campaigning and a change of Government before the plans which threatened 6 ancient woods on the outskirts of Stansted airport were finally put to bed. The Coalition’s ‘Programme for Government’ stated there would be no … Continue reading
