The decision has been greeted with dismay by Friends of the Earth who have been part of the campaign to save this quiet and peaceful part of the Sussex countryside from the road builders bulldozers. Friends of the Earth’s Director of Policy and Campaigns Craig Bennett said: “The Government’s claims to be the ‘Greenest Government Ever’ are yet again taking a nose dive today.  This will be one of the most damaging road schemes in the South East of England and will do nothing to end our transport chaos.” 

Brenda Pollack from Friends of the Earth added  “We have worked with local people for years and shown that it is not needed and not wanted. It won’t solve the area’s economic problems and is likely to increase traffic and CO2 emissions. It’s a road to nowhere! “

Whilst Sian Berry from Campaign for Better Transport said: 

Sian Berry, Campaign for Better Transport’s sustainable transport campaigner, said: “This is a disastrous use of public money, it puts paid to the Government’s environmental credentials and proves no landscape is now safe from the diggers. Destroying the beautiful and historically valuable Combe Haven Valley to let 30,000 vehicles a day thunder through it is not the way to provide regeneration for Hastings. Campaigners have called for more than a decade for better public transport and for new jobs to be provided close to the existing centres. East Sussex County Council and the Government have ignored this common sense approach and opted to lock in car dependency with an out of town business park and a huge, expensive road.”

More information can be found on the Hasting Alliance website: http://hastingsalliance.com/

The Network have now launched a new website which you can find here: http://southdownsnetwork.org.uk/ The site includes a tribute to Paul Milmore, a staunch campaigner for the National Park who sadly died on Sunday 18th March.

This Delivery Framework was adopted by the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area Joint Strategic Partnership Board in January 2009

thames-basin-heaths-spa-delivery-framework

 http://www.navitusbaywindpark.co.uk/

https://www.eon-uk.com/generation/3710.aspx

wind power questions

hs2-decisions-and-next-steps

1. Thames Valley Berkshire LEP – Growing Places Fund Briefing: http://www.thamesvalleyberkshire.co.uk/download-page/
2. Thames Valley Berkshire LEP – Growing Places Fund open for business: http://www.thamesvalleyberkshire.co.uk/lep-news/
3. BIS Committee Special Report on LEPs and the Government’s response: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmbis/809/80902.htm
4. Current South East LEP website: http://www.essex.gov.uk/Business-Partners/Partners/Local-Enterprise-Partnership/Pages/Default.aspx while a proper one is under construction. It is also on Twitter: twitter@southeastlep
5. See below on transport cash consultation

2)      Climate Change

1. Risk assessment launched: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climate/government/risk-assessment/
2. South East summary here: http://www.climatesoutheast.org.uk/index.php/news/news_detail/uk_climate_change_risk_assessment_published/

3)      Sustainable NHS

1. Want to know what is happening in the NHS re sustainability – here’s the latest Campaign for Greener Healthcare newsletter: http://sustainablehealthcare.org.uk/newsletters/2012/02/newsletter-issue-23

4)      Energy

1. Sussex Off Shore Wind Farm (Rampion) out for consultation – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-16905268
2. Dates and locations of Rampion public consultation events: http://www.eon-uk.com/generation/3833.aspx
3. MPs write to Cameron demanding subsidies for wind farms are cut: http://www.thegwpf.org/uk-news/4903-uk-revolt-over-wind-farms-govt-promises-subsidy-cuts.html and ask that NPPF makes it easier for wind farm objectors to win their campaigns
4. Report finds undergrounding of electricity cables not as expensive as energy companies say: http://www.cpre.org.uk/media-centre/latest-news-releases/item/2709-new-evidence-shows-pylon-plans-need-rethinking
5. Green House Gas emissions increase in 2010: http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?src=nl&id=21841
6. Davey announces Energy Efficiency “crack” team: http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?src=nl&id=21840
7. FiTs streamlining and possible staggered reduction option to be announced 9^th Feb: http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?src=nl&id=21806
8. Report claims DECC ‘misled’ Government on need for nuclear: http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?src=nl&id=21805
9. 160 year old building in Guildford refurbished to provide low carbon offices: http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?src=nl&id=21837
10. Government takes step closer to zero carbon homes: http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/2077965

5)      Transport

1. DfT to consult on devolving major transport scheme cash to sub regional bodies (with LEPs being the bodies in the frame): http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2012-04/ and comment: http://www.localis.org.uk/article/970/Transport-cash-to-be-devolved-to-sub-regional-bodies.htm

6)      Aviation

1. Greening Faces pressure to invest in regional airports rather than Thames Estuary: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/320281e8-4dcc-11e1-b96c-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1lsY4LV6W

7)      HS2

1. 51m threatens HS2 with Judicial Review: http://www.mix96.co.uk/news/local/613154/anti-hs2-campaigners-threaten-transport-secretary-with-legal-challenge/ and http://www.51m.co.uk/news/councils-launch-hs2-challenge
2. Landowners being offered £1,000 to allow access for environmental surveying work access: http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/environment-transport/landowners_receive_1_000_for_hs2_surveys_1_3481979

8)      Cycling

1. 3 hour debate on Cycle Safety to be held in the Commons on 23^rd Feb: http://road.cc/content/news/52379-cycle-safety-get-three-hour-parliamentary-debate-sustrans-and-cycle-rail-get-%C2%A315m
2. Sustrans backs Times Cities Fit for Cycling campaign: http://www.sustrans.org.uk/resources/in-the-news/cyclists-are-facing-some-tough-times-but-you-can-join-in-the-fight-back
3. Cycle schemes to get £15m http://www.publicsectortravel.org.uk/2012/02/08/cycle-schemes-get-extra-15m/ and http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20120207/

9)      NPPF

1. National Trust round-up of asks for the NPPF which is due to be published by end of March, 28^th if Catriona is right: http://ntplanning.wordpress.com/2012/02/02/what-are-we-waiting-for/?campid=PLAN8
2. CPRE report looks at countryside at risk from NPPF: http://www.cpre.org.uk/media-centre/latest-news-releases/item/2729-stunning-new-maps-show-countryside-at-risk

10)   Green Belt

1. Plans to build housing on green belt land around Gravesham in Kent have been rejected: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-16760398
2. Gravesham to set out a Green Belt protection policy: http://www.gravesham.gov.uk/index.jsp?articleid=6793

11)   Natural Resources

1. Wales consults on a ‘holistic’ approach to managing the natural environment: http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/environmentandcountryside/singlebody/?lang=en

12)   Housing

1. Pickles approves housing for Aylesbury Vale citing SE Plan as evidence: http://www.constructionnow.co.uk/index.asp?PortalID=5&cat=news&period=lastweek#253859
2. Pickles blocks 900 housing plan also in Aylesbury Vale citing that the proposal is “not in accordance with the development plan or with national policy with regard to environmental and economic sustainability” http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/decisionsplanning/secretarystate/recentsecretary/valleyfarmsoulby/

13)   Forestry

1. Meeting, visit and events updates made to the Independent Forestry panel website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/forestrypanel/

14)   LNPs

1. List of successful applicants to capacity building fund: http://www.archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/documents/lnp-success-applicants.pdf

 Energy Advice Centre

at 50 High Street, Alton (the Old Vintage Violets shop, opposite Caffè Nero)

 Grand Opening  Saturday 11th February, 10am

Damian Hinds, MP for East Hampshire will open the centre

Come in and have a chat with our friendly local advisers or book an appointment with our team of Saturday experts, every Saturday from 10am to Midday

Take a look at our programme

What’s on offer?

free loft insulation and free cavity wall insulation for everyone - until March 31st
free thermal image of your home
free home energy survey
free commercial surveys
free draught-busting workshops
free energy talks to your club, neighbours – even your friends
free Saturday expert clinics on everything from renewables to damp, fuel poverty to wood burners 

- booking essential for the clinics - 

updates on our two hard-to-heat home makeovers

The Energy Advice Centre must close on March 31st – when our grant runs out.  

Do drop in and see us soon. 

 www.energyalton.co.uk

Call Don on 07811 462 659 (from 11th Feb 2012)