South East Forum For Sustainability

1)      LEPs

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