Places for Everyone is Greater Manchester’s Joint Development Plan for housing, the economy and the environment (previously known as the GMSF). For the reasons set out below, we believe that it needlessly proposes Green Belt and Protected Open Land for development, which will cause harm to the climate, the environment and people’s well-being, without providing sufficient affordable homes, sustainable transport, health care facilities or schools. It should be carefully assessed by the Secretary of State on behalf of the citizens of Greater Manchester. The plan covers nine of the ten Local Authority areas in the Greater Manchester conurbation and proposes to build over 178,000 homes, of which over 28,000 will be in unsustainable locations in the Green Belt or on Protected Open Land, along with over 3 million square metres allocated for warehousing and industry. Save Greater Manchester’s Green Belt and its partner groups have grave concerns about the impact on the countryside, the environment and valued community green space. Our chief concerns are: 1. OUTDATED THINKING – National policy is being updated, and we believe that Greater Manchester would be best placed to meet the challenges ahead by having a plan based on the most up-to-date guidance. This planning process commenced in 2014 and has since been overtaken by various significant national and local events. The citizens of Greater Manchester deserve a forward-looking plan which meets THEIR needs. 2. GREEN BELT – The proposed premature and unnecessary release of 2,388 hectares of Green Belt (equivalent to 2,985 football pitches) is not consistent with the Government’s stated aspirations to channel growth towards major cities in order to protect green space. The plan’s own evidence base shows that by adopting a high-density strategy directed at the city and town centres and along sustainable public transport routes, approximately 214,000 homes could be built over the plan period without needing to release any Green Belt. The recent announcement about scrapping the Manchester leg of HS2 removes PfE's premise of aggressive exponential growth. The Plan’s spatial strategy should be changed to deliver the Public Transport Max spatial option, which would be affordable, achievable and sustainable! 3. ECOLOGY – Given that the allocated Green Belt will be released on the day that the plan is approved, there is a lack of evidence about the ecological and biodiversity impact of the plan and no clarity about why such environmentally rich sites have been selected rather than prioritising the regeneration of brownfield sites. 4. SCHOOL PLACES/HEALTH SERVICES – Despite the plan proposing sufficient new housing to create the equivalent of two new boroughs in GM, there is no land set aside for a new hospital to support the consequential 450,000 additional citizens, no evidence that sufficient school places will be provided (an issue that is already a red risk for some GM districts), nor that there will be sufficient sites for GPs and dentists. 5. NET ZERO – We believe an alternative strategy that integrates development with sustainable public transport would better support the country’s commitment to net zero. As the carbon assessments for the Cambridge Local Plan show, the right kind of spatial development will have a substantial impact on reducing emissions without the costly overhead that climate mitigation measures usually carry. 6. CLEAN AIR ZONE / ULEZ – Integrating development and public transport would also organically reduce dependency on private transport and would have a positive impact on reducing air pollution, which should avert the need to impose punitive and unfair charges on car users through the CAZ. 7. AFFORDABLE HOMES – The plan originally committed to delivering 50,000 affordable homes over the plan period, but the Greater Manchester Combined Authority reneged on this policy commitment during the Examination in Public. We believe this is disingenuous and makes a mockery of the name of the plan, since the people of Greater Manchester have been conned into believing that Green Belt is being sacrificed to build affordable homes. 8. TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING – There is no evidence that funding is available to deliver the extremely long list of “Necessary” transport infrastructure requirements of the 34 unsustainable Green Belt locations, as set out in the Places for Everyone Plan.

We all know that we are facing a Nature and Climate emergency, and with the news this week that the UK is one of the most nature-deprived countries in the world (1), it is even more urgent that we make and protect space for wildlife in our local communities. Let’s campaign with Action on Climate in Teignbridge (ACT) to create a space for nature here in Holcombe. It is envisioned that a Community Wildlife Area, could be created on Hall Lane, in Holcombe, near Dawlish, and might include the following: • An unsurfaced path looping around the site, giving the public access whilst limiting disturbance to wildlife. • Benches. • An earth bund to remark the top of the site. • A community wildflower garden with agroforestry trees - including nuts and fruit • Information boards about local wildlife and other signage to promote education and appropriate access. • Encouraging and developing a mosaic of habitats including hedges, wet woodland, seasonal flood zone. • Installation of reptile hibernaculum, bird and bat boxes to encourage colonisation. • Managing the Streamside habitat to promote well balanced and diverse populations of flora and fauna; possibly with the inclusion of a lined pond. • Ensure that this trail meets the needs of less mobile people. • Promote wellbeing - with quiet areas, and sensory areas. The area, owned by Devon County Council Estates, has not been used for farming and has been unused scrub-land for some considerable time. The area is prone to freshwater flooding and is a rare wet woodland area - which we would like to enhance, adding a wildflower meadow, a community education area, storage for maintenance tools/kettle, and an agroforestry area - offering nuts and fruit for the community. There are lots of initiatives now currently seeking to encourage the planting of wildflowers to help combat climate change, help wildlife and pollinators and to transform our own wellbeing. We feel this area could easily become, with a little work, a wildlife area the local community could really be proud about. References: 1) https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2023/september/one-in-six-species-at-risk-of-going-extinct-in-great-britain.html https://www.wwf.org.uk/future-of-uk-nature https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-66923930

It’s been leaked that Rishi Sunak is ripping up promises meant to stop climate catastrophe. He’s claiming that it’s to help people with the cost of living crisis. But things like banning petrol cars aren’t due until 2030, so how does this help families struggling now? It puts green jobs in jeopardy and risks our children’s futures. The PM’s own party is turning against him, business leaders are up in arms, and it’s all over the news. What’s missing is the voice of the public. Sunak is doing this to try and win votes, but what he doesn’t know is that people across the UK are shocked and appalled by his actions. We need our voice - the public’s voice - alongside pro-green politicians and business leaders, to be part of a MASSIVE backlash so Rishi Sunak is forced to reverse these plans for fear of losing votes, the next election, and his job as leader and Prime Minister.

Invasive non-native species are one of the biggest threats to biodiversity. Now, one of the world's most invasive species, the Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta) has arrived in Europe and scientists estimate it's only a matter of time before it is devastating native fauna and causing loss and costs to agriculture. The UK remains one of the last island nations to import soils and potted plants containing soils. In doing so, it is importing an increased risk. Asian Hornets, Fire Ants, terrestrial flatworms, slugs and snails are all species found in potted plants and soils. Their small size and ability to bury in to the soil means that they arrive unseen, even if the plant itself is checked. The only conceivable way to ensure species are not being readily imported is to reciprocate action seen elsewhere and ban the imports of soil and plants containing soil.

The future of British food and farming is at risk, with many small family farms worried that they won’t be in business by the next generation – or even by next year. Is this what we want for our food system, and our countryside? Farmers don’t just feed us; they are also custodians of the land. But they cannot keep going if they are denied commitment and security, and are not making a reasonable profit. We must create a fairer, more sustainable future – one which supports family farms, preserves rural communities, and ensures access to quality British food for generations to come.

We need to ban the sale and use of the rodenticide Bromethalin, as there are no antidote should it be unfortunately ingested by an unintended animal or even human. Unfortunately, the story doesn't end there with using this type of Rodenticide. Obviously intended to humanely kill rats and mice but it is anything but humanely. The rodents don't always make it back to their nests. Sometimes, they die on the way. Death attracts other animals who then in turn will eat some of the poisoned animal, they now unbeknown are on their death sentence of no fault of their own. Little did my husband know, that our own beloved dog sadly suspected ingested some on her early morning walk at a local park. She became ill directly after. She was rushed to an out-of-hours veterinary surgery. She showed all the symptoms of being poisoned - excessively salivating, seizures, eye twitching, delirious, head swelling and green diarrhea. After suffering multiple seizures all day, our beloved girl died after enduring a cardiac arrest. We were told by the vet, that she didn't have any internal bleeding so it confirms again the suspicions of this type of rodentcide was left on the grass in the park. Unlike anticoagulant rodenticides which cause internal bleeding, should they be accidentally ingested, the patient can be given vitamin k which clots the blood after their stomach being pumped and charcoal being administered by a vet. This park is a well known dog walking park and also, where children play but also the FA have many childrens football tournaments and matches, whereby the children tackle and slide along the grass. I therefore, kindly ask for your help to ban the sale and use of Bromethalin Rodenticide, which is freely being sold on the internet on sites such as Amazon. No antidote no survival, so shouldn't be on sale. Together we can work on getting it banned!

Despite the local secondary school, train station and shops being only a mile away, most Ditchling residents feel they have no choice but to drive the short distance to Hassocks because this short stretch of road feels unsafe to walk or cycle along. Some, such as children attending Downlands or sixth form colleges in Brighton, have no choice but to use it. As one Ditchling resident puts it: "My son used to cycle from Ditchling to Downlands but I stopped him after another parent told me they'd seen a car speed right up to his back wheel and stay there all the way down the Keymer straight. It's just too dangerous." Numbers using this road this have increased significantly over the past few years and there has been a recent, devastating fatality as well as many near misses. Action is needed before there are any more. This short stretch of dangerous road also deters people from travelling from London or Brighton by train to visit Ditchling, reducing possible revenues for its local museum, pubs and cafes, as well as public access to the National Park. This petition has been created by Ditchling Climate Action Network, a new group set up to tackle local climate and environmental issues, brought together over our concern for our, and our children's future. We believe coming together as a community is the best way we can engage local decision makers, demand action and bring about positive change. Sign the petition to help us compel ESCC to make this short stretch of dangerous road safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

For the good of the environment and wildlife and to maximize the leisure and health amenity and benefit for the current and future community. i. e. Maximization of social benefit. The site should be returned to public open space under the control of LBRuT's Parks Department and integrated into the Mereway Nature Park. LBRuT's partnership with a number of environmentally sympathetic organizations has achieved fantastic results with the development of the current Nature Park. They will be thanked by many future generations if the site is developed in a similar way as an extension to the existing Mereway Nature Park. The keys points for this are : 1. The small number of 7 affordable housing properties can be accommodated elsewhere in the borough eg the nearby Greggs Bakery site development proposal for some 116 houses. An extra housing development will negatively impact the existing natural environment / park. Its unique location adjacent to an existing major Nature Park means the site is a natural candidate for inclusion in the existing Nature Park and will never again be available if the housing option is taken. 2. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop the site for the good of the environment, wildlife and the whole wider community (current and future) in terms of leisure and health. 3. Adding the 7 affordable housing properties to the larger (116 houses) nearby Greggs site housing development gives a win-win solution - proper care and development of outdoor spaces for current and future generations; and proper provision of required affordable housing with less negative impact. 4. The congestion in the local area is already a problem. In this cul-de-sac location, even this relatively small development will have a disproportionately large negative impact and will cause claustrophobic overcrowding in an already densely populated area together with the resultant traffic congestion. 5. Any individual / personal benefit derived by the 7 new owners in the prospective development is counter-balanced by the major significant negative impact on a similar number of existing residents of houses in Mereway Road and Barneby Close that are directly adjacent to the site. 6. In summary the maximum social benefit will be gained by returning the site to public open space under the management of the partnership that has developed the Mereway Nature Park. Please sign the petition and remember when you do, to tick the box to get email updates so we can keep you in touch with progress and suggestions, as we develop our action plan. Please share the link to this petition with your contacts and put on your social media accounts by copy and pasting : https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/protectmerewaypark Please also submit your own objection on the Richmond & Twickenham Council Planning webpage. Insert the ref 23/0260/FUL in the search box at the following link and you can make your comments online : https://www.richmond.gov.uk/services/planning/comment_on_a_planning_application. Or you can email your comments direct to the Planning Officer making the decision on this application Thomas Faherty - [email protected] There is a small team, the Mereway Action Committee that is developing and implementing plans to achieve the objectives outlined here. Help will be greatly appreciated. If you can and want to help with the campaign please send us an email by clicking on the email / envelope symbol next to the photo at the top of this page. NB to access this page if you are not already on a device go to the following link : https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/protectmerewaypark

We need action on the climate. Locally, this would include slower road speeds and a Dutch style cycle network to encourage us to all to walk and cycle more. Nationally, this would include reducing our car size and use dramatically, improve public transport, eliminating fossil fuels and investments, basing all Council Government decision of the principle of what would reduce our footprint most, dramatically reducing our concrete use and spending on new products, and building a sustainable economy.

It's a place local people walk their dogs, exercise and enjoy wildlife. Skylarks, Swifts, Doormice, Kestrels, Deer, Rabbits, Hedgehogs, Lots of Butterflies and Moths..the list is endless. Also a huge variety of wildflowers, Pyramidal Orchids, Common Spotted Orchids Thistles, Clover, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Water Mint, Oxeye Daisies, Buttercups, Heathers. (Just to name a few!) It's a green corridor that links to ancient woodland. We have already lost the green space of Forty Acres, so migratory birds might well decide to use Campdown. These environments are sadly becoming rare and must be protected.

Dividends should be the result of profitability and you cannot say you are profitable while failing to provide adequate Public services and dumping sewage in our rivers or pay dividends while simultaneously approaching insolvency.

This is a very important issue and its imperative that its discussed. Our climate is worsening every second, signing this petition will contribute to saving the environment. Cows that eat red seaweed as part of their diets release up to 82% less methane than their bovine peers, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California. Methane is at least 30x more effective at trapping heat produced by the sun. Performing this simple action can transform beef and dairy production into a more economically and environmentally sustainable industry.