Thank you to everyone who supported our campaign to Put Nature on the Map at Newcastle Civic Centre on 1st November.
As a result of our 3,000-strong petition, Newcastle City Council has committed to deliver its green infrastructure strategy, which it promised six years ago.
Following the debate, we have been approached by an independent councillor with an interest in increasing tree cover across the city.
The next opportunity for us to make a tangible difference is in our response to the consultation on the draft Development and Allocations Plan, which sets out where development will take place in Newcastle.
You can access the documents here.
We are working on a detailed submission and we need your help to call for greater clarity on policies to protect and enhance green infrastructure, trees and landscaping, biodiversity and habitats and open space.
The more pressure we put on the council to amend the policies, the more chance we have of securing greater protection for wildlife and green spaces. Responding to the consultation is vitally important.
The deadline for comments is 5pm, Monday 20th November.
Please email planningpolicy@newcastle.gov.uk with the subject line 'Draft Development and Allocations Plan - Comments on Biodiversity, Green Infrastructure and Open Space'.
Some points to include in your email are:
Policy DM26 - Protecting and Enhancing Green Infrastructure
The policy must be reworded to ensure greater protection for green infrastructure
A green infrastructure strategy must be finalised and integrated in the DAP
New development within 2km of green infrastructure networks and on greenfield sites must secure connectivity for wildlife, through blue- green corridors of trees, shrubs, hedges, wildflower areas, grassland and wetland
Policy DM27 -Trees and Landscaping
The policy must be reworded to ensure greater protection for trees, in particular aged or veteran trees, and ancient woodland
Further detail of tree, shrub and hedgerow provision in relation to development must be provided
Tree Strategy must be given greater weight in planning decisions
Further detail of tree replacement standards must be provided
Policy DM28 - Protecting and Enhancing Biodiversity and Habitats
The policy must be reworded to ensure biodiversity and habitats are better maintained, created and enhanced
Wildlife enhancement corridors must specify allocations of land that are protected to 'buffer and link', provide 'stepping stones'; and 'create or restore' biodiversity
Light spill from development on important species and habitats must be avoided
New development must incorporate wildlife-friendly housing design and construction and habitat enhancement across the wider landscape
Development of previously undeveloped land within 2km of the green infrastructure network and waterways must be subject to specific biodiversity standards
Policy DM29 – Protecting Open Space
The policy must be reworded to ensure greater protection for open space
The amenity green space standard of 1.2 hectares per 1000 population must be maintained, as a minimum optimum standard
More emphasis must be given to protection of parks and recreation grounds
Housing allocations at Hartburn Walk, Kenton Bar and Thornley Road, West Denton should not be permitted as there is already a shortfall in parks and recreation areas at these locations and development would impact wildlife corridors
Please use the above points to guide your comments only. Personalised individual submissions will have more weight.
Parks, Allotments and Nature Reserves in Newcastle
Newcastle City Council has published its Cabinet Report on 'Creating a Charitable Trust to Protect Newcastle's Parks and Allotments'.
The report will be considered at a public meeting on Monday 20th November at 4.30pm in Newcastle Civic Centre.
Anton Deque adds:
This is refreshing from S.N.W.
To be effective efforts to ward off 'worse to come' planning decisions must be aggressive, applying constant pressure. That was somewhat lacking in the early days of the groups existence. Fighting your enemy on grounds of his choosing – especially arguments about the interpretation of legislation easily sidestepped by developers with deep pockets and matches – and going after specific instances of doubletalk and dereliction of stated policies is better. Better still would be to ensure inclusiveness. As Richard Mabey suggested last century*, conservation can too readily become what seems like a specialised game played by specialists on a special pitch, and thereby excluding the 'general public', whomever they are. S.N.W. have got 3,000 signatories to a Petition. Well done! Make that 10,000 and the Council will really sit up.
*The Unofficial Countryside (1973)
