Category Archives: Local campaign
Here we go again!
The dust hasn’t yet settled on the Oaken Wood Public Inquiry, and already the Trust is having to stand up for ancient woodland in Kent at another public inquiry. This time it’s the proposed widening of the A21, between Tonbridge … Continue reading
Happy Birthday to the National Planning Policy Framework!
”Why was he born so beautiful? Why was he born at all? He’s no blumin use to anyone. He’s no blumin use at all….” Well we are going to find out aren’t we? Last year on the 27th March 2012, … Continue reading
People Power CAN help our woodlands
“Well done”, perhaps not the first thing you would expect to hear someone saying to the local community groups and others that today received the news that the High Court has rejected 9 out of their 10 objections to the … Continue reading
Not just neighbourhood planning – a neighbourhood plan!
More exciting news from the world of neighbourhood planning, well a small corner of it anyway. Since my last blog the Upper Eden neighbourhood plan has passed through the referendum stage. Following the plan’s successful examination it had to face a … Continue reading
Thank goodness for NIMBYs
HS2 provides another example of the warped way in which we use economic justifications to damage the environment and run roughshod over people’s legitimate concerns. As with other grand national projects, Government and central authorities use forms of cost/benefit analysis … Continue reading
A cut too far
Councils are facing difficult choices, but slashing tree planting budgets should not be one of them. At this time of year, councillors and senior officers in local authorities go into “budget mode”. Councils have to agree how much they are going to … Continue reading
Is Stansted’s ancient woodland safe from Manchester Airports Group?
BAA’s airport monopoly was broken up even further last week with the announcement of a winning bid of £1.5billion for Stansted Airport. Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is the new owner. After the fight of the decade, will this be good news or … Continue reading
Decisions, decisions…..
Finally, we reach the end of a long and winding process. It has taken 13 witnesses, two barristers, 11 third party interest groups and individuals, and more boxes of paper than any one cares to imagine to debate the need for ragstone … Continue reading
Inquiry live – end of week three
Katy tells us how things went at the end of week three in Maidstone, when the local residents had their say: “Friday (14th December) was for the third party representatives, in which people in the local community had a chance … Continue reading
Inquiry live – day eight (and seven)
Can you believe it’s already the end of week two? Back at HQ this week has flown by, but it’s been business as usual for ‘Team Oaken’ – here’s our Katy with your final update for this week: “Yesterday (Thursday) our … Continue reading
