UPDATE - January 2020: The planning application has been withdrawn!!! We do not have all the details yet as to why this has been withdrawn. UPDATE May 2019: we are still waiting for this application to be discussed at the East Oxford Area Planning Committee meeting, this campaign is still alive! We need as much support as we can muster to attend that meeting. We will find out a week before the meeting if it is on the agenda and I will notify supporters by email; hopefully, lots of people can make it to the public meeting to demonstrate our disapproval in person! Lets not give up the fight! A planning application has been submitted for a new build development that would provide 9 apartments (in a mix of 1, 2 and 3 beds) in a 21⁄2 storey building and 22 parking spaces. The proposed plan would also require an access road to be built at the end of Lewis close and along the boundary of the C.S Lewis Nature Reserve run by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust. I spent my childhood playing in the C.S Lewis reserve and now bring my own children there to explore the wonders it holds. It truly is a magical place and C.S. Lewis based his writings about Narnia on it, although back then it was his back garden! The reserve comprises mature woodland slopes and two ponds. The larger pond is noted for spawning toads and giant horsetail surrounding it. The nature reserve and surrounding area currently supports birds, reptiles, badgers and roosting bats among other wildlife. The area is also suitable for protected species such as Great Crested Newts which have been spotted in the area. The proposed development and access road will create noise, light, dust pollution and many more negative impacts on the environment and wildlife. A preliminary ecological appraisal has been undertaken and although does cover some of the impacts on the potential wildlife others have been omitted. The report does make some suggestions to mitigate the impact such as a protective, closed fencing around the development area, a review of the design to ensure no light spill or disturbance post development, undertaking work outside the main bird nesting season etc. However I strongly feel that despite these measures to mitigate the impact the development will still have a detrimental effect the area and wildlife. One persons objection on the oxford city council planning webpage for this development also points out that a close solid fence could actually compound the danger to the animals. Lewis close leading up to the reserve is peaceful and quiet and safe for the many children that use it to access the reserve. It is such a wonderful place and the access road and property development that is planned to run along it will no doubt pollute the lake, increase the traffic making it unsafe for pedestrians and spoil this place of amazing magic and beauty. This area is of national and historical significance and should be preserved for generations to come. The nature reserve and the adjacent Lewis Close is peaceful and quiet. Many residents and visitors go there for the peace, tranquility and the inspiration it offers. The nature reserve and the house that C.S. Lewis lived in is of huge literary and historical importance and would be spoiled by this development. I felt strongly that this development should not go ahead and decided to start this 38 degrees campaign. Please help me to stop this development from happening so future generations can continue to be inspired by its wildlife and wonder.

Recent research has established direct links between traffic derived air-pollution and impact on human health. Nobody benefits when the only air for breathing contains sooty particles -but young children are especially vulnerable. Its a fact that impaired lung-development, respiratory disease and reduced life expectancy are all a consequence of regular exposure to traffic fumes. Now its time to acurately measure just what is in the air around Welsh schools.

It horrifies me to see diesel fumes being discharged into the faces of our youngest children in their buggies or toddlers walking with their parents, let alone at pavement level for adults to breath. If they were directed upwards to the highest level of the vehicle, it could make a significant improvement. It would not be difficult to extend the exhaust pipes of vehicles up the back of the vehicle; The older the vehicle, the more important to make this modification.

Many towns are now building enclosed fenced areas in existing parks, because they realise the benefit for dogs and the whole community. Chatham has recently built one in the sports ground on Maidstone road, Many dog breeds can't be let off lead such as Huskies for example, and a dog park in an existing park would give them the chance to socialise, train and exercise more. This is not a petition to enforce dogs only be in the enclosed area, who doesn't want to use it keeps walking their dog as usual around the park. Mote Park has the space and would thrive even more if dog owners knew they had the chance to take their dogs there without worrying they will run off. Sign the petition and share so we can get it to the council.

A rusty, dangerous and abandoned skate park sits on the park. A BMX track would be a perfect project for this area. Making the park a place where people can ride/race BMX. This would give kids through to adults a new experience.With local success from Connor Williams racing BMX in the British BMX championship this year. A track would be recognised as a home track for him and others that race from Calverton for training and potentially racing. ​A BMX track would bring people from all around the midlands and the country to race. Also there is a lot of interest and support from other local residents saying this would be a great idea giving the younger generation something to do and keeping them off the streets. With Hucknall and Bulwell having a track already why can't Calverton. To see the full story and keep updated on the progress visit our Village Website - http://www.calverton-nottingham.co.uk/bmx-track

By making the manufacturer take back and dispose of their product this will make them produce a better longer lasting item, this hopefully in turn will produce a lot less waste that goes to landfill. This can easily be achieved and afforded by the company because they just add a little extra to the initial cost of the products when they are new. This will also encourage the manufacturer to make their products to be more durable and sturdy, built from better and longer lasting materials and stopping the ludicrous amount of disposable plastic toys and other rubbish that last about half a second once they are removed from the packaging. While I'm on the subject we could also have food manufacturers make their products from vegetable protein like potato starch and will hopefully eliminate the vast amounts of plastic waste.

In 2015 the former Sorting Office on Cattle Market Road, derelict for 18 years and long considered an eyesore, was acquired by Bristol City Council for an estimated £5.4 million. The Council has budgeted up to £2m for the Sorting Office's demolition with “The aspiration...to develop a high quality commercially led, high density mixed use development that re‐imagines this high profile, strategically significant site…”. The public ownership of the iconic former Sorting Office makes it a community asset and affords Bristol a unique opportunity to pursue a development which meets the needs and aspirations of the people of Bristol. By replacing 'commercially led' with 'community led', the site could become a vision worthy of our city, meeting Bristol’s needs as defined not by commercial boundaries alone, but by the community who own it. What kind of developments on this high profile city centre site could really serve the communities of Bristol? Do we need to knock down the building - and spend £2million doing so? Does the site need yet another vacant area of rubble, waiting for commercial interests to redevelop it, like at least five other currently empty sites in the Enterprise Zone have so far failed to do? Rather than commercially-led overpriced flats, half-empty office blocks, and national chain stores; could we see community-led council housing, food production and eating, local shops and makers, learning centres, social enterprise, reuse of resources, renewable energy, sustainable transport, art and performance, beautiful spaces and more? If the people were given a voice in the area’s development, what would we envision? So far, public involvement in determining the future of this publicly owned building and site has been practically non-existent. The council have only consulted on a ‘Spatial Framework’’ for the totality of the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone, and there has never been a full public consultation on plans for the Cattle Market site itself. As a public asset, shouldn’t we, the community, lead its future? A genuine process of engagement, involvement and collaboration with the city’s residents, community stakeholders, progressive thinkers and academics, would result in a creative, pioneering and shared vision - truly representative of both the progressive nature of our city and its needs. We the undersigned therefore demand that Bristol City Council call a halt to current plans to demolish the Sorting Office, and hold a transparent, participatory and collaborative consultation in order to create a shared, community-led vision for the future of the Cattle Market site, which meets the needs and aspirations of the people of the city. #BristolGetItSorted

The pier was opened in 1881 and the pier train is in the Guinness Book of Records as 'the oldest working pier train in the world'. It provides a vital link between Hythe and Southampton and is a part of our history and heritage. The community led campaign encourages increased use of our waterways and in turn, this will help to reduce traffic congestion on our roads into the city and pollution levels both sides of the water.

We citizens of Lancashire, put politicians in place to represent our needs. We are sovereign, and have the highest form of political authority--you are temporary. Our local council, made up of councillors democratically elected by us, and charged with serving our interests, is exactly the right body to make decisions on local matters. The government have displaced our democracy in Lancashire and we intend to make our vote count next time round. WE THE UNDERSIGNED: PLEDGE TO VOTE FOR NO CONSERVATIVE MP IN THE UPCOMING PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

Update Unfortunately, despite having a temporary reprieve in January this year, the Greenspace is once again under threat. Glasgow City Council have been again been approached with a proposal to have the land declared surplus and sold for development of flats. Our councillors have been asked to comment on this proposal. The likely outcome of this part of the process is unclear. The more signatures we have on the petition, the stronger the case against that proposal will be, and the more pressure we can place on the City Council to listen to the community, and save the Greenspace for the third, and hopefully final, time. Our much-loved green space on Broomhill Avenue is under threat again - this is a vital green space for families, walkers and dog-walkers to enjoy in the area. If this space goes to be replaced by more housing, this could lead to many families leaving the area in search of accessible green space. (https://www.facebook.com/broomhillavenuepark/) Right now, Glasgow City Council are in negotiations with a developer which could lead to flats being built on our sole green space in the area. Shouldn't Glasgow City Council be preserving this space to help promote physical activity in local communities and be on ongoing legacy from the Commonwealth Games? This is especially sad as in 2008, Glasgow City Council (GCC) promised us that the Broomhill Avenue Greenspace would "be excluded from any future development packages", and assured us that there was no need to officially protect the site as it would be protected under the councils own rules and guidance on open spaces. GCC themselves list the site as part of the "green corridor" which is intended to provide areas for protection of wildlife, which begs the question of why the negotiations over a sale are taking place at all? Although this area is not an official park, it is tended and maintained by local residents and the trees, wildlife and open space are an important part of the community. The space is cared for - residents and children in the community have been working on the site and planted hundreds of flower bulbs, cleaned up rubbish and prepared bird and bat boxes to provide homes for wildlife, with more planting planned coming. All of this hard work is at risk, if the proposed sale goes ahead. We need as many people as possible to hold Glasgow City Council to their promise. Please sign and share our petition to help us protect the site and save a small, but important local resource for the benefit of the residents, wildlife, children and dog walkers who value and appreciate this area. Thank you for your support.

The BearsWay project is an important initiative for increasing sustainable transport. It has sadly been shouted down by a small but vocal minority who do not like the changes. They have been reiterating several pieces of misinformation (below), and it seems that the local councillors have been swayed by their rhetoric. Many of the councillors who voted for the amendment which scrapped Phase 2 of the BearsWay did so in opposition to their own parties' sustainable transport policies (Lib Dem and SNP councillors, specifically). Some of the misinformation presented by the opponents to the BearsWay: 1) They claim that the road has been narrowed to an unsafe width, and is difficult to drive on, and that emergency response vehicles are unable to pass cars. Having had discussions with Blue Flag drivers, ROSPA advanced drivers, Driving Instructors, the Police, and Ambulance drivers, there is no evidence to support this assertion. If one drives to the speed limit (30mph), there is no difficulty navigating the traffic calming measures. We suspect that a number of people who used to drive the road at speeds in excess of the limit are angry that they can no longer do so. I have not spoken to an Ambulance Driver who had an issue with the width of the road. 2) They state that a majority of residents are against the proposals. There is no evidence whatsoever for this. There was a petition against the BearsWay which gathered 2,500 signatures, a number of whom are not local. There are 30,000 people local to the area, and 18,000 daily journeys on the road. 3) They complain that cyclists do not use the cycleway provided. This has been measured, and 92% of cyclists use the segregated cycle lane. There are several possible reasons for the minority not using it, including: It is very difficult to enter the cycle lane Northbound, as it requires crossing a busy lane of oncoming traffic, which is particularly difficult during peak times. Some cyclists were unaware of the cycleway, as it is not well signposted. The link from Burnbrae Roundabout to the crossing at MacDonalds is awkward to negotiate, and interrupts the route - it is far more straightforward Southbound to stick to the road for 200 yards until the crossing point moves the cycle lane to the left hand side of the road (and this also holds up traffic less than using the crossing lights) The BearsWay is not finished - the remaining phases would have addressed the issues in getting on to the cycleway safely. 4) The reduced lanes cause congestion. a) There was only ever one lane in each direction - this is the same. b) There is no evidence of increased congestion - the average journey time along Milngavie Road has increased by approximately 1.3 seconds according to a commuter who logged 150 of his journeys.. 5) There was nothing wrong with the road as it was, and therefore no need to change it. Note that 3,000 cyclists are KSI'd (Killed or Seriously Injured) on UK roads each year. This number is rising year on year. These deaths are caused by collisions with motor vehicles, most commonly when a motor vehicle driver violates the cyclist's right of way. Firstly, the old cycle lanes were poorly marked, and often poorly maintained as well; Cars regularly parked in them (they still do on the section from the Burnbrae Roundabout to Milngavie Precinct); Motor vehicles regularly cut into them in order to cut corners; Motor vehicles tended to drive faster than the speed limit. To conclude, a quote from an excellent article (Blog) on the need for change (Source here: http://www.magnatom.net/2016/09/east-dunbartonshire-time-for-change.html) It's not easy of course, because Change never is. It involves making some sacrifices. It means that a road might have to be a wee bit narrower. It means that occasionally you might have to wait behind a bus for 20 seconds. It means that occasionally at junctions, priorities might need to be adjusted. The odd parking space has to be lost! It feels like our liberties are being taken away from us. Are we truly free though? Is having a congestion free dual carriage way Bearsden Road which you can zoom down at 40 mph without impediment in your car really freedom? Only to be stuck in 2 miles of nose to tail traffic on the Switchback Road, which is already dual carriage way, so perhaps we need three lanes each way? What about those that can't drive, perhaps as they are too young, can't afford it, or are not able to through disability. Sure, the bus is one option, but it will never truly provide the freedom that we yearn, by taking us from where we live to where-ever we want to go. It will help to some extent, and is part of the integrated solution, but it is not the whole answer. Freedom only comes when all those who wish to travel, by whatever means they wish, can do it in a way that is safe, comfortable and convenient. As London, and countless other examples demonstrate, if you build it, they will truly come. And they will come with the many, many benefits that having a significant percentage of your populations travelling actively will bring. So I call on the politicians and especially the councillors of East Dunbartonshire to think carefully about the future. Not just their own future, or at the ballot box next year, but for the future of an area I am sure they really do care for. I ask for them to consider that Change, even politically difficult Change is not only desirable, but needed for the area to flourish. Yes there is a strong local voice against it, but then many of them don't want children to have freedom of safe movement. Is that what you and your party stand for? Really? If they choose not to invest in active travel, the area will drown under the weight of the motor vehicle, something that even many of the opponents of the BearsWay agree is an issue. Be on the side of change. Be on the side of a brighter, healthier, less polluted, less congested East Dunbartonshire.

In this day and age I firmly believe that Hunting with Hounds is barbaric and unnecessary. This awful suffering must end if we are to be considered a civilised Nation