CPRE Sussex
Anger as ministers open door to fracking under South Downs
Countryside Campaigners in Sussex have reacted angrily to today’s government decision to allow deep fracking under the county’s best loved beauty spots. This afternoon (Dec 16) MPs voted 298 to 261 in favour of allowing drilling at depths of more than 1,200m under sensitive areas like The South Downs National Park and Ashdown Forest.
Reply to letter to Amber Rudd
Andrea Leadsom MP, Minister of State, Department of Energy & Climate Change replied on behalf of Amber Rudd, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, to letter from David Johnson, Chair, CPRE Sussex. Download the letter below.
Response to Wealden Local Plan
This is CPRE Sussex's response to the Wealden District Council's Local Plan Draft. Download the full letter below:
Dear Sir or Madam,
CPRE Sussex response to Wealden Local Plan - Issues, Options and Recommendations Consultation
This letter is the formal response of the Campaign to Protect Rural England Sussex Branch (CPRE Sussex) to the Wealden District Council (WDC) public consultation on the first stage of preparation for a new Wealden Local Plan, entitled “Issues, Options and Recommendations” (hereafter referred to as the consultation draft.) CPRE Sussex works to promote the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of the Sussex Countryside by encouraging the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country. We encourage appropriate and sustainable land use, farming, woodland and biodiversity policies and practice to improve the well-being of rural communities. It is our position that local planning authorities should seek to ensure that the negative impacts of development on the countryside, both direct and indirect, are kept to a minimum and that development is sustainable in accordance with national planning policy.
Further delay on Gatwick Decision opens “a minefield of uncertainties”
Another anticipated delay in the decision on airport expansion has been met with frustration by countryside campaigners who say its leaves rural communities vulnerable and in limbo.
“We are disappointed that they keep delaying such an important announcement,” says CPRE Sussex Director, Kia Trainor. “The focus should not be on whether Heathrow can meet air quality targets, but the fact that expanding either Heathrow or Gatwick will cause significant and unacceptable levels of air pollution.
What does a second runway mean to you?
Video by CAGNE.
Global Climate March in Horsham
In a bid to raise awareness of climate and environmental issues facing the local area, local residents held a very successful family-friendly rally through Horsham on 29th November 2015 as part of the global ‘Time To Act’ Climate March.
BBC Politics Show: CPRE Sussex on the Housing Bill
CPRE Sussex's Dr Roger Smith featured on BBC's Politics South East as Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, defended the government's new Housing Bill and its provisions for "planning in principle" which does away with significant checks and balances within local planning process.
Letter: When is a Frack not a Frack?
Letter published by the West Sussex County Times 19 November 2015
Sir,
When is a Frack not a Frack? When is a Ban not a Ban?
When is a Frack not a Frack? When is a Ban not a Ban? When it comes to the subject of unconventional oil and gas drilling, it seems Ministers are just as confused as the rest of us. One minute fracking is allowed in National Parks, and then it isn’t. A few weeks later and drilling is allowed to take place in National Parks so long as the well pad is constructed just outside the boundary. Despite the mounting pile of conflicting statements issued by Government Ministers and Departments, South Downs MP Nick Herbert stated with some certainty in a recent article that fracking would be banned in our most protected landscapes, though horizontal drilling underneath would still be permitted, but only at great depths. In the past week, DECC have issued another consultation on proposals to restrict drilling in other protected landscapes such as SSSIs (though Ancient Woodland and local designations such as SNCIs still appear to be excluded).
Letter: When is a Frack not a Frack?
Letter published by the West Sussex County Times 19 November 2015
Sir,
When is a Frack not a Frack? When is a Ban not a Ban?
When is a Frack not a Frack? When is a Ban not a Ban? When it comes to the subject of unconventional oil and gas drilling, it seems Ministers are just as confused as the rest of us. One minute fracking is allowed in National Parks, and then it isn’t. A few weeks later and drilling is allowed to take place in National Parks so long as the well pad is constructed just outside the boundary. Despite the mounting pile of conflicting statements issued by Government Ministers and Departments, South Downs MP Nick Herbert stated with some certainty in a recent article that fracking would be banned in our most protected landscapes, though horizontal drilling underneath would still be permitted, but only at great depths. In the past week, DECC have issued another consultation on proposals to restrict drilling in other protected landscapes such as SSSIs (though Ancient Woodland and local designations such as SNCIs still appear to be excluded).
The Civil Aviation Authority report ignores the impact of concentration on people’s lives
The 11th November has seen the release of the long awaited review of implementation of PRNAV (sat nav for planes) at Gatwick Airport on all departing routes to the west and east.
