The establishment of a mega farm is critically concerning for several reasons. Firstly, modern animal agriculture techniques, particularly in large-scale operations, are notoriously cruel. Pigs and chickens are often subjected to extreme confinement, preventing them from engaging in natural behaviours. This leads to significant physical and psychological suffering for the animals. Secondly, the environmental impact of such farms is profound. These operations generate large amounts of waste, which can contaminate local water supplies and contribute to air pollution. The excessive use of antibiotics in these settings also poses a risk of developing antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can affect human health. Moreover, the presence of a mega farm can have serious repercussions for local communities. The potential for foul odours, increased traffic, and noise pollution can degrade the quality of life for nearby residents. Property values may decline, and the local infrastructure could become strained under the increased burden. In summary, opposing the mega farm is vital to protect animal welfare, safeguard our environment, and ensure the well-being of our local communities. Promoting more sustainable and humane farming practices is essential for a healthier, more ethical future.

Sitting on the southern edge of Colchester, the Middlewick Ranges is a former Ministry of Defence firing range that has become a much-loved wildlife space in an increasingly congested city. Locally known as ‘the Wick’, this 76ha mosaic of flowery acid grassland, sandy slopes, scrub, woodland and hedgerows is home to a rich diversity of animals. The Wick is a key breeding area for the second-best population of Red Listed Nightingale in the UK, and a home to nesting Skylarks and Vulnerable Barbastelle Bats, while small mammals and reptiles also find a refuge here. It supports almost 1,500 invertebrate species, including a quarter of all the UK’s spiders and a quarter of all the butterflies and moths found in Essex. This includes threatened species such as the Four-banded Weevil-wasp (Cerceris quadricincta) and the Endangered Necklace Ground Beetle (Carabus monilis). However, despite the Wick’s huge value for wildlife and people, the site has been earmarked for up to 1,000 houses in Colchester’s Local Plan, and the Ministry of Defence has put the site up for sale. This would be a disaster for its precious wildlife. This petition calls for Colchester City Council to recognise that Essex’s largest acid grassland is too special to be lost under concrete.  We urge the Council to take this vital opportunity to remove the Middlewick Ranges allocation as part of its Local Plan review and find an alternative site that is less harmful to nature. Please sign our petition to save the wonderful Wick! This petition is supported by Buglife, Butterfly Conservation, Colchester Natural History Society, CPRE Essex, Essex Field Club, Essex Wildlife Trust, Friends of Middlewick, Essex Birdwatching Society and RSPB. For more information, please visit the Buglife campaign webpage and the Save the Middlewick Ranges website. 

What would Jesus do if he owned 108,000 acres (over 60,000 football pitches) of land? Would he farm the vast majority for profit, or would he use some of it to restore forests, wetlands and meadows to help save our vanishing wildlife?   This is the dilemma faced by the Church of England whose wealthy and secretive investment arm - the Church Commissioners - own this staggering amount of land. In total the estate is worth over £10bn! Forget the churchyards - they’re just the tip of the iceberg.  How are the Church Commissioners stewarding their land in England? • Only 4% of the Commissioners’ land is covered by trees (compared to the UK’s already poor 13% average). • Over half of the special habitats on their land are in an unsatisfactory state. • The Commissioners’ land includes 5000 acres of degraded peat in the Fens which is emitting tonnes of carbon every year instead of sequestering it. As one of the biggest landowners in England, with a moral duty to care for all of creation, this is a BIG problem! Dear Church Commissioners: the Church of England, which you serve, is playing an important role in protecting all of God’s creation from the climate and biodiversity crises through initiatives such as Eco Church. Yet most of the 108,000 acres of land under your control is still part of the nature loss and climate change problem, when it could be part of the solution. The UN has recommended that we need to rewild 30% of land globally by 2030 to avert the worst environmental collapse. If you met this target,  you would be able to restore nature to land over half the size of Dartmoor! It would send a huge and powerful signal to landowners and governments around the world and could inspire a wave of rewilding action. Committing to rewilding 30% of the land you own would be an act of good stewardship for both people and nature, actively working towards a future more liveable for all. Will you invest in nature and rewild your land?

People from across Dartford are in shock with the senseless killing of a group of geese, who were viciously run down along Anchor Boulevard last Sunday. There is no excuse for such behaviour and it's been hard to come to terms with anyone choosing to harm innocent creatures in this way. Crossways Boulevard and the surrounding roads have long been dangerous for humans and wildlife alike! Whilst we acknowledge steps taken by local representatives, local authorities and the police to implement road safety measures such as Public Safety Protection Orders (PSPOs) and Dartford Council installing an ANPR camera in 2023, a speed camera being installed here would ultimately be the most effective deterrent.  We would also like to see more being done to protect wildlife! Currently there is just one wildlife warning sign by a roundabout. We are pushing for the installation of "wildlife crossing" signs at the locations where geese and other wild fowl most frequently cross over to and from the 3 lakes that are positioned in this busy location.  It's imperative that action is taken and that KCC do all they can to protect wildlife in this area, to create an environment where people and nature can co-exist more harmoniously. Dartford Animal Rescue are in contact with Kent Wildlife Police to try and bring the perpetrator to justice. Unfortunately, nothing can be done to change this appalling act of violence, with an individual choosing to behave in this cruel manner. What we can do now is to gather our strength as a community and to highlight the urgent need for road users in general to be sensitive to wildlife living along here.  Petition by: Green Party Councillor Laura Edie and Ciara O'hare, on behalf of Dartford Animal Rescue Team. 

Removing the trees would be at the expense of the environment, both in a GREEN sense and in as much as the loss of said trees would be detrimental to the “tree-lined avenue” presentation enjoyed and appreciated by residents and visitors alike along this busy thoroughfare. The character of this part of the city’s “leafy suburb” would be further eroded. Felling the trees would have a negative impact on the area and the removal of mature trees will affect the value of property in the immediate vicinity.  The felling would set a precedent and potentially lead to the destruction of all the trees along the entire length of Neville Street

The road in question is: Easternville Gardens, Gants Hill, Ilford, Essex. It runs parallel with the A12 Eastern Avenue, between Cranley Drive at the east side and Quebec Road towards the west side.  It's only a matter of time that an emergency would occur and if coincidentally, vehicles ARE parked (ie two vehicles on opposite sides of the road at the either end of this road, with all four wheels on the road - in accordance with LBR-Traffic Regulations) then only will it become apparent the problem this Traffic Regulation has caused. NOTE: Emergency vehicles would NOT be able to pass between vehicles parked in the manner 'legally acceptable' to LBR, as photographs taken to simulate this situation, will prove, if necessary. Having contacted the Ilford Police via an online pro-forma, with this concern, they responded by claiming 'this a matter for the Redbridge Council and not the police'.      Many drivers had previously and some currently, parked with two wheels on the footpath at the 'problematic ends' of the Easternville Gardens - especially at the end with Canley Drive - only to be issued with PCNs. Apparently, it would seem this 'absurd and ambiguous regulation' is essentially ONLY for financial gains from imposed fines and no concern for the 'latent' problems that will undoubtedly occur in an emergency situation.   

Why do we want to protect the Amber Valley? The Amber Valley is part of the Derbyshire Peak Fringe, an important transition  between the Derbyshire uplands and lowlands, providing pathways for species to migrate and considered a landscape of extremely high quality. The variety of ancient woodlands, steep hills and priority habitat lowland meadow contribute to this unique landscape.  Ogston reservoir, within the valley, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and homes thousands of migratory wintering birds and the Valley is a recognised haven for wildlife and protected birds such as Osprey and Peregrine Falcons Ogston Hall, a Grade II* building of national importance, Wingfield Manor, under the care of English Heritage, and over 50 other listed buildings within the conservation areas in or overlooking the valley, are important as much for their relationship to the Valley and its setting.  As well as an important amenity for the towns and villages across the region, the Amber Valley also generates much needed income for the local economy from tourists and walkers, especially since the whole scale disappearance of larger employers from the area, and the challenge on farming revenues.  What can you do to support us? Please show your support by signing this petition. We are a voluntary group but are raising money to help fund our campaign and to secure industry expertise in our fight to Save Amber Valley. Please support our campaign Crowdfunding to Oppose the national grid plan to site 50m pylons across the picturesque and unique Amber Valley Landscape. on JustGiving National Grids Stage 1 Consultation (Chesterfield to Willington) closes on Tuesday 17th September. We need everyone to also provide their feedback directly to National Grid.  -        Option 1 - Completing Paper Feedback Form (available from local libraries and our public meetings). If you are unable to obtain a copy please let us know.    -        Options 2 - Completing Online www.nationalgrid.com/chesterfieldtowillington   -        Option 3 - Send an email to [email protected] - PLEASE ENSURE THAT IF EMAILING FEEDBACK YOU PUT IN THE TITLE THAT THE EMAIL SHOULD COUNT AS YOUR CONSULTATION FEEDBACK ON THE CHESTERFIELD TO WILLINGTON SCHEME For further support please visit our website.

By eliminating these misleading ads, we can reduce public misinformation about the true impacts of fossil fuel consumption and accelerate the transition to sustainable energy sources. This decisive step will demonstrate the UK's commitment to leading the global fight against climate change and safeguarding our planet for future generations.

The Boardwalk allows people to view nature upfront and live, it also adds pleasure to the walks around Ferndown. The Slop Bog is on a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Local Nature Reserve and Special Protection Area. The Boardwalk provides accessibility for users who might otherwise not be able to access the heathland. If the Board walk is removed it will deny us the ability to view Nature in all its glory. It will also put an end to beautiful walks in the Bog area, it is a beautiful tranquil place to walk on summer evenings, as the sun sets! PLEASE,HELP US SAVE THE BOARDWALK ! Sign NOW

We object to the plans to remove the bench and the trees and request that the planning application is brought to the planning committee.

Our last petition was spring boarded our campaign and helped us stop Manchester City Council when they wanted to turn the car park into a temporary car park.  We are now making progress on the idea of a park, plans for the site as a response to our campaign had been to fully pave over the lot!  Now we need a fresh push to show the council that after 5 years, local people and visitors still need a park on that site. In addition: • New Islington Green is now being replaced with offices, locals have lost 3 acres of green space. • Cotton Fields (not publicly owned) and Cutting Square are absolutely packed on nice days. The area desperately needs a safe place for people to enjoy the sun and for children to learn to ride their bikes away from the canal and cars. • Local people need green space for exercise, mental well-being and cleaner air. The GP office behind see the damage the pollution is doing to people.

Several pairs of the iconic ground-nesting Skylark breed on Wanstead Flats. These birds represent the closest population of breeding larks to the centre of London but for how much longer? Nationally, the population of Skylarks has been in decline for decades so the Wren Group – in conjunction with the City of London Corporation – is determined to do all it can to protect their numbers locally.