SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT
WESTlocal bid outcome: I am delighted to be able to announce that we have been awarded a year’s funding (with the potential for a further year’s funding beyond this) for a WESTlocal bus route once a day, Monday to Friday return route from 3 communities in the Chew Valley to 4 drop off points in Bristol. The design of the route is based on the ‘Getting to Work on Time’ report produced last December so that we have clear indication of of demand. This free membership scheme based route will enable pre booking a week in advance, meaning that commuters can feel reassured enough to leave their cars at home. More details about the new route will be available through local papers and on the Bus Transition in the Chew Valley Facebook page over the coming weeks, but to really get all your questions answered please come to the Public Meeting that we will be holding in Bishop Sutton Hall between 10-12.30 on Saturday 16th March. As one of the Sustainable Transport Group, who, with the Chew Valley CIC, and Transpora Group, formed the Chew Valley CIS Sustainable Transport Partnership to submit a bid to WESTlocal , I have to say we are all feeling in celebratory mood 🍾👏. We are also now seeking ways to fund some bike racks and interventions to encourage more bus use. Please do get in touch if you have any thoughts about how this could be acted on.
After 4 years of campaigning and lobbying it is great to see a clear outcome, reminding us of the value of perseverance.
Bristol Airport Action Network information event.
A reminder that Bristol Airport Action Network are holding a public meeting THIS THURSDAY 29th February 7-8.30pm at Felton Village Hall, to update on their new Eyes On flight monitoring tool, the outcome of a recent Freedom of Information Request and which shows the airport seeking to claim 25% of extra night flights are added to their quota (thats above the 4000 limit) and the plans for actions and MP briefings in the National No Airport Expansion campaign. Please do come along and encourage others to do so too. Flyer attached.
NATURE PROTECTION
Lower Chew Forest I expect you may already all know about this brilliant plan by Avon Needs to create a huge new forest on 420 acres of farmland, along with wildlife enhancement and regenerative farming. The want to plan 100,000 trees and (rather neatly) are looking to raise £100,000 to do this. Lots of info on their website. Please give if you can as they only have until 8th March to raise the money. Here are the ways to get involved
- Making a donation on our Crowdfunder to help us buy and establish the woodland.
- Sharing our Crowdfunder with your friends.
- Sharing our film with you our friends.
- Asking your employer to support the project.
- Get in touch with ANT contact@avonneedstrees.org.uk to discuss transformative partnership options for larger and longer term individual and business donations.
Increasing wellbeing- Wild Steps Course: Enabling people to form a deep relationship with nature is a stepping stone to winning them over to protect nature, and is one of the things we protect nature for. The Community farm are offering a Wild Steps Wellbeing course from the 14th March. https://www.thecommunityfarm.co.uk/wellbeing/wild-steps
Land for Sale: Land to preserve for biodiversity? I noticed a piece of land is for sale on Chew Stoke that has potential for biodiversity enhancement and enhancing a green corridor. Please do pass this link on to anyone who might be interested to explore this further: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/144670421#/?channel=COM_BUY
SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION
Patrick Holden talk For those involved in local food production you may be interested to view this recent talk about farming sustainably from the founder and CEO of the Sustainable Food Trust https://www.wearecarbon.earth/patrick-holden-sustainable-food-trust/?utm_source=SFT+Newsletter&utm_campaign=9fabac8015-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_08_NOV_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-bf960bfa08-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&mc_cid=9fabac8015&mc_eid=f752139ea0
PLANNING FOR SUSTAINABILITY
B&NES Local Plan Consultation is an opportunity to have your say about planning decisions in the area and includes many points that address the C&NE. Please do say your piece in the ways outlined below
We are writing to inform you about the commencement of the next stage of consultation on our Local Plan and future development in Bath and North East Somerset.
The Local Plan Options document, recently approved by the Cabinet on 1st February, marks a crucial step in shaping the future of our district. We value your input and invite you to participate in the eight-week consultation, which will run from 12th February to 8th April.
Options for addressing our future development needs, including the delivery of new homes and jobs across Bath and North East Somerset, as well as policies addressing a range of issues including the climate and ecological emergencies, are presented for your consideration and comment. These options align with the council’s Corporate Strategy and Economic Strategy, aiming for a fairer, more prosperous, and sustainable economy.
Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to share their thoughts on the proposed options by responding to an interactive version of the Local Plan online at https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/localplanoptions, as well as taking part in a series of in-person events.
Representations can be made through the Council website or by post to Planning Policy, Bath and North East Somerset Council, Lewis House, Bath, BA1 1JG. Please note that we will not be accepting representations sent by email.
BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE
Climate news can sometimes feel like a real downer, so it is refreshing that We Don’t Have Time are now publishing regular good news climate stories. Evidence suggests that this can be very motivational in changing behaviours. Energy entrepreneur, podcaster, and commentator Assaad Razzouk has for a long time been publishing a popular weekly list of positive climate news to a big online audience. Starting this week, he is also publishing his list of good news on We Don’t Have Time.
In this interview, Assaad Razzouk talks about his clean energy mission, how he finds all his stories, and why he is so flattered by the increasing interest from oil & gas bots and trolls who attack what he publishes.
Voting Habits I thought people might be interested in a campaign called Vote Climate, which is seeking to encourage voters to increase their awareness about the approaches of different political parties towards climate. Not a party political point being made here. Just being circulated for interested. https://voteclimate.uk/
The Guardian Newspaper is hosting an event on the 12th March to explore how the climate crisis might influence the agenda of the next election. https://www.theguardian.com/guardian-live-events/2024/feb/06/what-climate-action-should-we-demand-from-our-next-government?
CLIMATE ACTION
Release of Marcus Decker Those who have been following the story of Marcus’s arrest and imprisonment for a non violent direct action may be interested to know that he was released on bail last week, but is still threatened with deportation. Here is a little inspiration in his own words: https://www.tiktok.com/@zoefilmedit/video/7337415509882834208?_r=1&_t=8k1RJLil5bk
Warm wishes
Jackie