Brighton & Hove Friends of the Earth

Rampion Response

bhfoe — Thu, 10 May 2012 09:12:51 +0000

Conditional support for Rampion windfarm and calls for better consultation

Responding (BHFOE Rampion Windfarm 1st Consultation Response) to the first round of consultation on the Rampion windfarm which ended yesterday [1], Brighton & Hove Friends of the Earth (BHFOE) is only giving conditional support to the project. The group says the windfarm is urgently required to reduce carbon emissions but that E.ON needs to do more to avoid damaging the South Downs National Park. BHFOE is also calling for a full 12 week consultation once the detailed environmental reports come out [2].

BHFOE welcomes the cabling on land being placed underground to reduce the landscape impact. However, BHFOE believes that E.ON has failed to demonstrate how it has avoided impacts on the National Park, particularly the Heritage Coast [3] for which inadequate photo-montages were produced.

Chris Todd from BHFOE said:

“We really want to see this development succeed. In this part of the country we have done little to develop renewable energy and we need to play our part. Rampion represents an important step towards reducing our carbon emissions and tackling climate change.

“However, that must not blind us to just accept any old development. E.ON needs to demonstrate that impacts on the South Downs have been minimised as far as practicable. We are concerned about harm to the Heritage Coast and don’t believe enough has been done to protect this area. It also seems odd that E.ON requires a 14km cable route through the National Park at a point where it is only 4-5km wide.

“We’ve just had a 12 week process which has been great at raising awareness about Rampion, but not so good as a consultation. The lack of information has made it difficult for people to really engage. The next round of consultation will see a mountain of information released, with only 6 weeks allowed for responses. This is perverse and many people will struggle with such a short timescale. E.ON should reconsider.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

[1] The formal community consultation has run from Monday, 13 February until Sunday, 6 May 2012 (12 weeks) but very little technical information was released. For example, the Environmental Impact Assessment was not published. The information that was presented was often inadequate, such as the lack of photo-montages from the Heritage Coast, which has made it difficult for the public to make informed comments on the proposals. So while the process has been good at awareness raising, and BHFOE has congratulated E.ON on this aspect of it, it has not really been a satisfactory consultation.

[2] Almost immediately after the close of the community consultation, the formal statutory consultation will start mid-May 2012 for 6 weeks. However, this will include the publication of substantial documents such as the Environmental Impact Assessment and other important documentation. These documents will take some time to read and only having 6 weeks to do this, draft responses and seek agreement from committees and boards will be difficult for many organisations and members of the public. The closeness of the start of second consultation to the end of the first also raises suspicions that the consultation process is more of a tick box exercise rather than a real engagement with local people. Given the short amount of time between the two consultations, it is unrealistic that E.ON will make any substantial changes, if at all, as a result of feedback received so far.

[3] The Heritage Coast extends from the Martello Tower in Seaford to the Martello Tower in Eastbourne, and represents the main coastal element of the South Downs National Park. This stretch of coastline is one of the few unspoilt stretches of coastline in the south east of England. The white chalk cliffs are an iconic image of England, particularly linked to images of the Second World War and have featured in many films.

Media Contact: Chris Todd 01273 553044 or 07889 302229

Give us a choice! (of travel to the new hospital)

bhfoe — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 20:59:26 +0000

Royal Sussex County Hospital Redevelopment

A lack of investment in walking, cycling and public transport threatens more congestion and pollution from the Royal Sussex County Hospital redevelopment. Brighton & Hove Friends of the Earth is concerned about this and is urging people to sign its e-petition. Alternatively, people can print off a petition form and fill it in manually. A flier is also available.

The current proposals for a 400 space underground car park are likely to cost well over £10 million to build. In comparison, the investment in walking, cycling and public transport is likely to be one tenth of this.

Brighton & Hove Friends of the Earth does not believe that this is fair. It is denying people choice and investment in healthier forms of travel. The hospital redevelopment should be about creating a quality environment for bus users so that they aren’t just left out in the rain; making it feel safe to cycle on the road and providing secure and convenient cycle parking facilities and plenty of them; providing safe pedestrian crossings where they are needed and for a more pleasant environment all round.

With the hospital investing so much in car parking, this is going to encourage more people to drive to the site. This will make it less pleasant to walk and cycle by increasing congestion and pollution. It will delay buses and potentially ambulances too.

Access to South Downs National Park

bhfoe — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:02:14 +0000

Adam Trimingham recently published his views on the lack of coordinated access to the South Downs National Park. You can see his article here

Adam Trimingham is indeed right that the South Downs are wonderful asset (Argus, 5 October 2011) and we are lucky enough, as a city, to own vast swathes of them. Yet the tragedy is that they are difficult to access for many residents.

Improvements need to be made for walkers and cyclists so people don’t feel they always need to drive out to the Downs. Two routes which require urgent attention are along Dyke Road and Ditchling Road. However, the responsibility for these routes lies with the City Council not the National Park Authority. So Adam’s frustration with the National Park Authority is somewhat misplaced.

What is also of great concern, as Adam highlights, is the lack of joined up thinking around Stanmer Park. Why is the Council even thinking of flogging off more assets before it has consulted on the future of its downland? And why is it doing this before exploring all the options for Stanmer Park, including a National Park visitors’ centre amongst many other ideas?

Whoever is in charge needs to sort the current mess out before it’s too late. Stanmer Park should be one of our main gateways into the National Park. Yet the way things are going, it risks falling into further decline. This is not good for residents, nor is it good for the local economy. Indeed, it’s nothing short of a tragedy.

This letter from Chris Todd was published in the Argus on 12th October 2011

Next B&H FoE Meeting

bhfoe — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:50:12 +0000

Wednesday 12th October 7.30pm at the Brighton Peace & Environment Centre, 39-41 Surrey Street, BN1 3PB

Support Call for Tax on Waste Incineration and Other Things

bhfoe — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 09:02:59 +0000

Support call for tax on waste incineration

Friends of the Earth local group member and campaigner Keith Kondakor has set up an e-petition calling on the Government to introduce a waste incineration tax. Can you help Keith get to 1,000 signatures and more? For more information, see the Facebook page for this campaign.

Picnic to save Sussex valley

The Hastings Alliance is hosting a guided walk and picnic on Saturday 24 September. Come and have a lovely afternoon and learn more about the road that could devastate one of the most tranquil and beautiful valleys in the South East

Final push for Energy Bill victory

There are 3 new quick, easy and urgent actions on the Energy Bill, as we push for victory during its final stage:

Stop Housing Minister, Grant Shapps, blocking warm homes
Tell Chris Huhne his response to our councils petition isn’t good enough

Write to key MPs about fuel poverty.

Friends of the Earth are targeting councils

A new Declaration on Climate Change is being launched to help councils cut local carbon emissions. It could work well, but only if all councils sign up to ambitious targets. Please contact your council to support the email we sent them earlier this week calling for a strong Declaration.

Recent updates from the UN climate talks

We’ve updated our international campaigning resources section on the website , so you can find information quickly about the UN climate talks. To receive immediate information about the latest actions and events in the run-up to the next round of talks in Durban , sign up to our Global Action newletter

Ask Greg Clark MP for an improved planning framework

The Government has released its draft planning framework, setting out plans for future development. It fails to recognise that planning is not just about economic issues and could lead to unsustainable development.Take action before 17 October . Email localism@foe.co.uk for more information if you also wish to contact your MP.

Help support public transport over new roads

The Department for Transport will soon make decisions on which local authority major transport schemes it will fund. Campaign for Better Transport would like to know about local schemes, like new roads that are opposed and public transport measures that are supported. More information .

Call for Fair Rail Fares now

You’ve probably read that the Government is planning massive increases over the next few years. Friends of the Earth is part of the Fair Fares Now! coalition calling for a better deal for passengers. Add your name to the petition and contact your MP about this issue .

Fair Fares Now

bhfoe — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 08:53:59 +0000

Fed up with ever increasing rail fares?

Brighton & Hove Friends of the Earth is working with Campaign for Better Transport for cheaper, fairer train fares to encourage people out of their cars and onto public transport. We are collecting signatures on petitions and handing out freepost postcards at Brighton and Hove stations. This is part of a fortnight of nationwide action.

Please do come and join us at our planned days of action as follows:

Fri 22 July 7.30am – 9.30am outside Brighton station (Caroline Lucas MP there 9am)

Mon 25 July3.00pm – 4.30pm outside Hove station, then train to B’ton leaving some postcards on seats, outside Brighton station 4.45pm – 7.00pm (Simon Kirby MP there 5pm)

We hope to see you there, but if you can’t make it sign the petition on line:

Food Waste Collections for the City

bhfoe — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:37:29 +0000

I was delighted to read on Monday that at long last the council is seriously considering treating food as a valuable resource and looking to collect it separately on a weekly basis from other types of waste and recycling.

On rubbish collection day some streets in Brighton are littered with a stinking mess of food and other waste, even recyclables which children have to pick their way through on the way to school. This is a crying shame not to mention a health hazard.

Whilst we should be reducing the amount of food that gets thrown away, fruit and vegetable peelings, meat bones and other things that can’t be eaten are still a valuable resource and can be used to create nutritious compost to spread back on the land to help grow more food. In addition depending on how it’s treated food waste can create energy at the same time as compost. In these days of rising food and energy costs we should be looking to improve the amount we do and produce locally, collecting food waste separately will help.

Research in some councils where food waste is collected separately on a weekly and other waste on an alternate weekly basis shows the residents are happy with the service and the councils are saving money. Of course Brighton has many types of different housing which need to be catered for but we are also a creative City so let’s start working towards a viable solution that improves on the current situation, boosts recycling rates, saves us money and helps us move towards being a community which looks to reduce our footprint on the planet.

SAVE THE DIVA

bhfoe — Mon, 23 May 2011 15:43:05 +0000

THE OPERA GROUP & FRIENDS OF THE EARTH

present SAVE THE DIVA A NEW STREET OPERA music by Julian Philips words by Simon Christmas

DATE: 12 JUNE 2011

Venue: BRIGHTON CITY CENTRE SUNDAY

The Opera Group presents a new 10 minute street opera in collaboration with Friends of the Earth and the European Commission Representation in the UK. Loré Lixenburg mezzo soprano; Aidan Smith baritone; Jason Maverick street performer; Jon Roskilly trombone; Ian Watson accordion and Musical Director; Sasha Milavic Davies Director; Michelle Thomas Stage Manager

Save the Diva will be performed on the streets of five UK Cities over summer 2011. Find out more about The Opera Group at www.theoperagroup.co.uk

Performance venues and times in Brighton (tbc) – please check back here nearer the date

Performance 1 – 12.45 – at the Naked Bike Ride Meeting Point The Level NR Lewes Road BN1

Performance 2 – 13.45 – New Road, Brighton out side Theatre Royal

Performance 3 - 15.15 – King’s Arches on the seafront outside the Fishing Museum

Performance 4 – 16.30 – Jubilee Square outside the library

Brighton & Hove Friends of the Earth AGM

bhfoe — Fri, 13 May 2011 15:12:15 +0000

BRIGHTON AND HOVE FRIENDS OF THE EARTH

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

TUESDAY JUNE 7TH FROM 7.30 P.M.

BRIGHTHELM CENTRE: STANMER ROOM

http://www.brighthelm.org.uk/

With guest speaker Richard Dyer: Friends of the Earth National Transport Campaigner: “Travelling Towards a Low Carbon Future”

All comers very welcome.

For those who wish to join/re-join the group we will be offering a half-price membership on the night.

Please contact Callie – callie.lister@foe.co.uk or 07831 648 171 if you have any enquiries.

Ask Cameron To Talk Half as Much Rubbish

bhfoe — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:38:46 +0000

Brighton & Hove Friends of the Earth is urging Prime Minister David Cameron to cut rubbish and boost reuse and recycling.

The Government is currently deciding what to do about the country’s rubbish and we want a goal to halve the rubbish that people have to put into their black bin bags.

While Brighton & Hove runs the local rubbish and recycling collections, they need a boost from Westminster to be able to improve services and send less rubbish to be buried and burnt. Over 60% of what goes into black bags in the City could be composted or recycled. Brighton & Hove Friends of the Earth joined other groups around the country and took part in a day of action calling for a nationwide goal halving rubbish and boosting recycling and re-use.

Alison Walters Brighton & Hove Friends of the Earth, said:

“People in the City are keen to get the rubbish out of their bins, we don’t want to dump it on Newhaven – and we’re all frustrated by having to throw away food waste, unnecessary packaging and the stuff that the council doesn’t recycle. Cities like Bristol collect food waste and do four times as much composting as Brighton.

We want the Government set targets so we have to halve the rubbish that has to go into our black bin bags by 2020.

“More recycling doesn’t mean more hassle or sorting – the best collection services are the simplest for householders and the most cost-effective for our cash-strapped council.”

Brighton & Hove currently only recycles 27% per cent of rubbish. Friends of the Earth wants Local Authorities to be able to recycle and re-use more of our household waste and for more products to be designed to be easy to re-use and recycle.

Click here to send your message on waste to David Cameron