CPRE has real concerns about the Government’s eco-town proposals. We strongly support the principles of ‘eco-development’, but we are concerned that too many of the proposed eco-towns will fall short of the high standards required. We are calling on the Government to focus on one or two truly exemplary schemes, scrap sub-standard proposals and rethink its eco-town programme. We want Hazel Blears to take on board local communities’ concerns about the eco-towns proposals and press for a Government rethink. We have prepared a letter for you to send, which you are welcome to amend. All you need to do is fill in your name and address, then press submit and your letter will be emailed to Hazel Blears.

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6 October 2008
© CPRE

The CLA, Friday, 3 October, agreed that a new government department is needed to deal with the increasing twin challenges of energy security and climate change. However, the CLA would stress the need for cohesion between Defra and the new department. CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: “The CLA supports the need to give the two increasing global challenges of energy and climate greater resource but we hope the vital role land management plays in both creating renewable energy options and mitigating the effects of climate change will not be overlooked as a result of the split between departments. Defra will be key to ensuring every opportunity is made of the contribution that land management plays in meeting the twin challenges of not just environmental security but also the growing issue of food security. We look forward to working with Ed Miliband and continuing our relationship with Hilary Benn.”
The CLA President said: “The CLA hopes that the new Defra will have greater focus and clarity on rural issues and more time to concentrate on things it has not properly addressed in recent times. This includes a renewed effort in dealing with the abolition of set-aside by rewarding current good practice and ensuring any offsetting measures must retain the competitiveness of English agriculture and should be flexible and practical enough to fit into agricultural systems whilst still delivering the environmental outputs we all want.” The recently published Defra response to the draft Marine bill which includes proposals to create coastal access ignored many of the recommendations by both the EFRA committee and the Joint Committee, both tasked with scrutinising the proposals. The CLA hopes a fresh look can taken at this and that the Government will reconsider its position.

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3 October 2008
© CLA

Natural England has today (Friday 3 October) published new Environmental Stewardship (ES) handbooks to provide farmers with a comprehensive guide to ES and how to apply. A dedicated Environmental Stewardship phone number has also been established: 0300 060 1115; and for the first time applicants for Entry Level Stewardship schemes (ELS) can now apply online at www.naturalengland.org.uk The new handbooks, which cover every available ES scheme, apply to all agreements starting on or after 1 October 2008. The handbooks have been re-designed and include information on new options and changes to the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) bringing farmers up to date on how ES can help their farm business and how they can apply. Almost £3 billion is earmarked for ES and other agri-environment schemes from 2007-2013, under the RDPE. Dr Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England, said: “Environmental Stewardship remains essential to the health of our natural environment and the success of certain species and we know this can go hand in hand with a successful farming enterprise. We will work closely with the farming industry to ensure these ES schemes continue to work for the benefit of farming, the countryside and wildlife.” View the handbooks: www.naturalengland.org.uk/planning/grants-funding/es/default.htm
View the ELS: www.naturalengland.org.uk/planning/grants-funding/es/els/online.htm

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6 October 2008
© Natural England

The UK Government plans to issue EU ETS Phase II carbon allowances once European and Global registry systems are linked and operational. The UK’s first auction of allowances is scheduled for Wednesday 19th November 2008 and the number of allowances available at the auction will be announced at least one month beforehand. The application window to become a Primary Participant for participation in the auction is open to the end of October. For further details, see the auctioning web pages: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/B/1/euetsscheme050808.pdf

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3 October 2008
© Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (National)

The Mayor of London and CABE Space have today (29 September) published for consultation new planning guidance that encourages local authorities to make best use of our parks and public open spaces. The Open Space Strategies guidance will be of use to all local authorities, whether they already have an open space strategy or if they are putting one together for the first time. The updated guidance provides advice on assessing the quantity and quality of open spaces and on identifying the needs of local communities and other users of open spaces, including wildlife. Open Space Strategies is an updated amalgamation of two separate guides that were produced by CABE Space and the GLA in 2004. Boris Johnson, Mayor of London said:
“In the face of new environmental, social and economic challenges, preserving our open spaces has never been more important for a good quality of life and a more sustainable future. The new guidance will be an invaluable tool to help local authorities plan, design, manage and maintain their open spaces. The preparation and publication by the London boroughs of an up to date Open Space Strategy will be one of the matters I will consider when assessing their Development Plan Documents for general conformity with the London Plan.” Open Space Strategies gives advice to councils on how to prepare and implement their Open Space Strategies using practical examples of different approaches. It is based on updated best practice from the London Plan and lessons learnt from work CABE Space has done with local authorities across England over the past five years. Open Space Strategies can be downloaded from the GLA website at www.london.gov.uk/mayor/strategies/sds/open_space.jsp

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2 October 2008
© LONDON

The CLA today (25 September) slammed the Government’s refusal to accept two parliamentary committees’ views on coastal access – denying landowners the chance to appeal against the new right of public access being imposed over their land. The Government rejected the Efra Committee’s finding that the “lack of a formal appeal process is a fundamental weakness” of the draft Marine Bill. An appeals system had also been recommended by the Joint House of Lords and House of Commons Committee. However, today the Government declared it did not feel an “appeals process would be appropriate”. CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: “It is absurd, unjust and unfair that the Government has rejected an independent right of appeal on the spurious grounds that the cost of all the appeals against the right to roam introduced in 2000 was disproportionably ‘lengthy and expensive’. “In fact, two thirds of all appeals against the right to roam were successful. It is ridiculous the Government now seems to assume its system is infallible.” The CLA President said: “Despite refusing a right of appeal, the Government also ruled out compensation for rural businesses and landowners who could prove they had lost out financially because of the new right of coastal access. It is hard to equate this approach with a Government that repeatedly claims ‘fairness’ is its calling card. There is precious little in the way of concessions in its response to pre-legislative scrutiny and public consultation to the draft Marine Bill.”

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2 October 2008
© CLA

Waterways and environmental heritage charity, The Waterways Trust Scotland, is launching a new series of six guided walks along the Union and Forth & Clyde Canals in Falkirk starting at 10.30am on Saturday 18 October. Feet First Falkirk has been specially designed to promote and encourage walking as a healthy, educational and enjoyable form of exercise for all ages. As well as getting fit, walkers will be able to get some fresh air and make new friends. These walks are free of charge and the Trust is hoping that people in the Falkirk area will come along and enjoy the canals, which are a wonderful resource for exercise and learning, right in the heart of their community. Dates and details on the website.

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29 September 2008
© Waterways Trust

Environment Minister Phil Woolas will meet local residents and MPs in Stoke today to discuss the Warm Front scheme, which delivers insulation and heating improvements to vulnerable households. As a result of Warm Front 17,000 Stoke householders have benefited from new heating systems and a further 17,000 have received insulation. More than 11,000 local residents aged over 60 have received assistance through the scheme, as have nearly 8,000 homes with children and more than 7,000 disabled residents. Warm Front has also resulted in an average weekly benefit increase of £25.64 for more than 1000 local households.

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30 September 2008
© Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (National)

The CLA today (Tuesday, 23 September) hit back at a claim in a survey carried out by Defra’s Keep Britain Tidy campaign that “all councils were judged to have fly-tipping and graffiti under control”. CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: “This statement just could not be more wrong. If councils have fly-tipping under control it is because the problems are being pushed somewhere else, this would explain why farmers and landowners are seeing a continual rise in fly-tipping on private land. “We officially launched our fly-tipping campaign at The CLA Game Fair in July and the response we have had has been enormous - from petitions to case studies. This supports our view that this is an increasing problem.”  The CLA President added: “We feel a dismissive statement like this does nothing but severely underestimate the issue as the causes of the problem are not being addressed. “It is incredible these results are being managed in this way as when the CLA met with Defra’s Joan Ruddock on the subject as it was clear that fly-tipping is on the increase.” The CLA president added: “Councils may well feel they have this in hand, but it is a growing expense to individuals and rural businesses.”

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23 September 2008
© CLA

Mental health charity Mind has launched a £7.5m grant-giving programme to fund environmental projects that work with people who have mental health problems. Ecominds, funded by the Big Lottery Fund ’s environment programme, Changing Spaces, will distribute funds to 125 projects from community groups, schools and businesses in England over the next five years.

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18 September 2008
© Third Sector Online