OWNERS of a woodland education centre near Marlborough are being forced to demolish it this week after Wiltshire Council refused to give it planning permission for change of use. Martin Gibson, who owns The Grove Woodland Centre, and team member Mark Norcliffe are heartbroken that the centre which helps youngsters learn through play has had to close after parish council objections about traffic using the narrow country lanes. The parish council objected to the plans without consulting with the wider communtiy. Mr Norcliffe, 43, a volunteer helped build the centre. He said: "I have been told the school must be shut down, taken apart and fully dismantled. I am going to be taking down some of it but it is truly heart-breaking.” We used to have a lot of children who came here from the surrounding area. They were absolutely wonderful, they really enjoyed it here. We had large groups of children come weekly to take part in a range of different activities. We had tree houses, assault courses, play areas and a stage and even birds." The centre, at Thicketts Road, Mildenhall, ran courses offering children and adults the chance to experience forest living, including learning how to make fires using bow drills, build shelters and sleep out under the stars. Up to 70 youngsters a week were enjoying the courses, and a Friday-night adults session was popular with local people. But the centre has had to close after Wiltshire Council ruled the amount of traffic it was causing was a danger to other road users. Mr Gibson said he hoped to re-open the centre in the future if he can resolve the traffic issues with the council. “I have a farm and it has some lovely woodlands in it and I have always wanted to find a way of getting kids to play in the woods. “We came up with an idea of hosting birthday parties and school trips and and it was working out really well. We then applied for planning permission and we got turned down because the traffic impact was severe. All my neighbours objected because they thought there would be too much traffic but if the road is unsuitable then surely something needs to be done? A spokesman for Mildenhall Parish Council said this week: "The Parish Council will be pleased to hear the Woodland Centre will close because the site is unsuitable on account of serious access difficulties." When the application was considered by councillors, the parish council said it supported the principle and aims of the centre but were: "Unanimously opposed to any additional vehicular traffic on the access roads from Mildenhall and Stitchcombe, which are already causing anxiety to local residents and users of the newly-refurbished playpark. Their experience has convinced them that additional traffic on these lanes is dangerous and against the spirit of the woodland adventure." This is such sad and devastating news for the community of Marlborough, surrounding areas and the staff who've worked with so so hard with bare hands and very little resources to develop this fantastic forest school and community woodland at Grove Farm. On taking a gentle amble through the beautiful copse, listening to the birds, spotting the occasional, nuthatch, deer and muntjac, the level of passion, commitment and dedication that's been invested in developing such a striking and well needed facility is evident to see. In recent years this centre has grown with the natural surroundings, evolve and flourish in synergy with nature and complimenting the beautiful landscape at Grove Farm. The facility has attracted local visitors of all ages together with people from further afield, all of whom are astounded at it's beauty and amazed at the low impact structures that have been built sympathetically in partnership with nature. The woodland copse at Grove Farm is regarded as a fine example and beacon of good practice of what can be achieved with very little but the resources and building materials provided by nature on the site on which it stands. Mark Norcliffe has designed and built all the structures by his own hand, without the use of mains electricity or power tools, with very little in terms of finances and using only materials kindly provided by nature. The magnificence of not only the structures, but paths and walkways developed at Grove Farm are testament to his passion and commitment to work sensitively with nature and provide a facility where people of all ages and backgrounds can play, learn about nature and share skills from one another in a beautiful safe environment. The 3 core staff of Builder, Falconer and Forest School Instructor have worked with dedication, blood sweat and tears to develop this fantastic sanctuary that is a centre for learning and play for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. It is deplorable that non sensical NIMBYism prevails when such community facilities are so desperately needed for children and adults alike. It's true what they say "You don't know what you've got 'till it's gone". SAVE GROVE FARM COMMUNITY WOODLAND

It will ultimately lead to the development of a well site that will be hydraulically fracked. I am a mother and I believe that we all have a responsibility to protect our children and our future. The independent Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) study of the environmental impact of the shale gas technology has still not been published despite a legal requirement to do so. The CCC report could have a material impact on the planning application if it is been made public in time. Under Section 49 of the new Infrastructure Act 2015, the Government must seek independent advice from Lord Deben’s Committee on whether shale gas production can be compatible with future carbon emissions targets. Barry Gardiner, Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change, said “The Government is now losing the trust of the public on this issue who can see that the Energy Secretary has been sitting on this independent report for 56 days whilst simultaneously threatening to impose fracking on communities against their will.” Planning Application Number 3524

Pyrford’s fields, particularly those either side of Upshot Lane, are essential to the character of our semi-rural community and fulfil clear green belt purposes as laid down by the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework). The farmland is a rare resource in the Woking area providing a home for declining farmland birds and a natural setting for many heritage assets, which include Pyrford Court and Gardens and St. Nicholas Church. Pyrford’s farmland provides a setting for an escarpment which provides outstanding views to the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; views which may be enjoyed by the general public from the Sandy Lane Path (Surrey Bridleway 401) where local residents planted a WWI Memorial Hedgerow in 2015. Furthermore, the biodiversity of neighbouring Pyrford Common SNCI (Site of Nature Conservation Importance), and Rowley Bristow Woods would be damaged by the fragmentation of irreplaceable wildlife habitat. If Pyrford’s Green Belt is lost, it will be lost forever. Pyrford residents and their supporters wish to ensure this valuable asset is saved for future generations.

It's important because the building and trees will never be replaced. Our children won't see local history which is a shame. We will loose trees which are 150 years old which is so sad!!!!!! Please help!! I know we need new housing but must we destroy everything we touch!!!!!!!!

Berwick Street Market has been independent for 300 years yet Westminster City Council has decided to privatise it with barely any consultation - It's all happening behind the scenes - private operators are already in the tender process and traders’ licences have been terminated without warning. These licences are peoples livelihoods, businesses and relationships, and belong to traders who are part of Soho's history and culture. Berwick Street Market is now the frontline of the relentless cleansing of Soho. @BerW1ckStMarket

Investors ISOS wish to build 12 houses on the last field on our estate. This is the last piece of green for our children to play on and people to walk their dogs. We used to have a strip of green through the estate and now there is only 19% left and they want to take that away from us also. There are other sites (brown field) which are ready for development, but in less desirable areas. If they developed on our Burnfoot Way site this would have a detrimental impact upon residential amenities and the standard of living for the whole community, reduce house prices for private owners, prevent the disabled and elderly from any visible greenery. • With no place to go our children will not be able to play. • A possible 30-40 people to share what is left of our space. • Over-development will crowd our area with more brick and square walls, leaving little to no character left. • For 6 months to a year our area will be flooded with noise and smell from construction of these buildings. • Loss of privacy. • Overshadowing/loss of light on roads and bottom floor flats. • Public services, such as drainage and water supply. • Highway safety is compromised: traffic generation, road capacity, means of access, visibility, car parking and effects on pedestrians/cyclists.

SAVE MIDDLE BEACH CAFE STUDLAND The National Trust are to close this fantastic amenity which has been much loved by locals and tourists alike for many many years, since about 1919. It provides important employment for local people and is a community asset. The NT are citing their policy of non intervention for natural retreat of the coast line but the entire local area has had sea defended installed. The locals are prepared to help but none seems to be listening. This is such a fantastic place which is irreplaceable and unique & is used by many every year. Please help to save by sharing this page,writing to the NT and signing the petition. Thank you

We are concerned that fracking could Contaminate our water supply Pollute the air with hazardous chemicals Cause earthquakes Reduce the value of our homes Increase our insurance premiums Make our roads less safe by increasing heavy traffic Leak methane which is a potent greenhouse gas 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide Cause illness in the local population Increase noise and light pollution from drilling operations and traffic movement Cause industrialisation of countryside and adversley affect wildlife corridors Adversely effect local tourism and agriculture Fracking is bad for our environment, bad for our communities and we call upon Angela Smith MP to support our campaign for a ban on fracking in our area.

Democracy is of the upmost importance. We trust councillors that we elect to serve our interests. In this instance nearly 4,000 letters of objection to the company’s plans were received at the County Council, set against only 32 letters in favour. Councillors are required to adhere to the standard of good conduct as set out in the Local Government Act 1989 which requires that they effectively represent the interests of their Ward and of individual constituents. In addition councillors must maintain the highest standards of conduct and ethics, serve the public interest and take decisions having regard to the interests of the whole local community. We feel that our interests have been disregarded in favour of fiscal and political reasons.

High speed broad band is not a luxury. People in small towns and villages need internet just as much as people in big towns and cities. Decent broadband connection is essential for everything from paying bills to running businesses. But for some places in the UK, the internet speed is either painfully slow or non-existent. It's time the government stepped up and fulfilled it's promise of decent broadband for everyone. The government has changed the way it interacts with citizens. The government assumes that the public can access the internet and down load all the information and documents required. But without high speed broad band the download can fail. The government expects the public to use the internet but has not ensured that there is an adequate infrastructure available to everyone. Even where fiber optic cables are available the final section to the property is often elderly cooper cable which can severely limit data transfer speeds. The longer the length of cooper cable the greater the drop off speed. When I was having trouble with my broad band I was able to use the computers at the library, for an hour a day (Not Sundays) provided there was a computer free. A little inconvenient but at least I have a library that I can get to easily. This is not something that is available to everybody in the constituency. The prosperity of the region can only be enhanced when high speed broad band is available throughout the region.

This important building is rotting, its building use restrictions are being flouted, and many local people are keen to see a cinema open in Deal once more. The building was purposefully sold at a low price with the proviso it would be made into a cinema - not flats or a restaurant as per the current plans (not yet officially submitted).

The building was designed in the early 1960s by local architect James Roberts and is considered by experts to be among the best of mid-Twentieth Century urban design in Birmingham: "Its curvature, rhythm of vertical fins, together with its characteristic projecting concrete uplighters, make it still the most impressive piece of modern streetscape in the city, even 54 years after its completion.” Architect and urban planner, Joe Holyoak Roberts is responsible for Birmingham's most famous building, the iconic Rotunda, which has been both listed and sensitively redeveloped in recent years. But at present there are no such intentions for Smallbrook Queensway, despite it being of similar cultural value to the city. Instead the owner, Commercial Estates Group, wants to replace the concrete panels with cladding and glass, add two extra floors on top and replace the section over Hurst Street with a 22-storey office block. The proposed redevelopment would result in the loss of yet another fine example of Birmingham’s postwar heritage, which, we are warned, would be: “...especially crass at a time when the singular merits of 1960s architecture are at last being widely acknowledged.” Author and film-maker, Jonathan Meades Furthermore, the site does not fall within the Council’s tall building zone, meaning a high-rise block should, in theory, be discouraged. We therefore call upon the City Council to reject CEG's current proposals and urge the developer to draw up an alternative plan that respects and enhances the original features of the building. Here's a link to the article by Joe Holyoak, which features a CGI image of the new proposal: http://goo.gl/d1QNzZ Thank you for your support! Please follow BRUTIFUL’s campaign to save the best of Birmingham’s threatened C20 heritage on Facebook and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/Brutiful-Birmingham-139223999758814/?fref=ts https://twitter.com/brutifulbrum Photo credit: 'photo by D.J. Norton'. More great archive pictures at: http://www.photobydjnorton.com/NewBham/NewBham5.html