Barker-Mill Estates, a large local landowner, plan to build 11 houses on pristine fields inside the New Forest National Park and the plans look like the first phase of a large development If these plans go ahead it will set a precedent for developers all over Britain to build on greenfield sites inside our National Parks. This proposed development site is on the edge of the village of Ashurst inside the New Forest National Park. The fields are currently used as grazing land for horses and are situated next to the local schools. Barker-Mill Estates have offered to build a car park and cycle/footpath for the local schools in exchange for the schools' support for their building proposals. We support safer access to the schools and urge Barker-Mill Estates to provide the proposed cycle/footpath whilst protecting the fields.

The current uncontrolled and incoherent construction of high-rise buildings dominating the London skyline to the detriment of both local areas and the city's general appearance needs to be brought under control. According to the Evening Standard, planning permission has been given for a further 288 high-rises, with who knows how many more to come? A coherent, effective and independent process (including proper consultation with those who will be most affected by the new buildings) that takes into account the visual, social and economic impact on those who have to live and work in their shadows needs to be established, preventing the permanent destruction of the city for the benefit of a few property developers and absentee owners. London desperately needs both affordable and social housing for those of us who work and try to live in the city, but these towers are no answer to that, and instead replace much-loved and familiar streetscapes that can offer the high-density, low-rise accommodation that most people want. Their architecture is all too often either mediocre or the result of famous architects exercising their egos at our expense; in addition to which too many are built and bought by overseas purchasers seeking to secure their wealth in empty properties in London, bringing no tax benefits to the city itself and exacerbating the lack of affordable housing for the rest of us. At the moment great stretches of the Thames are being walled-off by dismal glass towers for the private enjoyment of their occupants (to the extent that they are occupied) and the exclusion of all others. Even the status of Houses of Parliament as a Unesco World Heritage site is threatened by these invasive monsters. Offering £5000 in compensation to people whose houses would be permanently deprived of direct sunlight (as was recently offered by property developers on the Mount Pleasant site) is not only insulting but an admission of the deleterious effect these buildings can have on their neighbours. We need all those, including the millions of tourists who visit us every year, who love the chaotic, multitudinous, living creature that is London, to make known their rejection of these tacky gleaming stakes through its heart.

To the residents of Exeter, people who work in Exeter and visit Exeter, together with those who love Exeter… In an increasingly commercialised world, people should have the freedom to choose when they are exposed to advertising. In public open spaces we should be free from private and commercial interest and advertising should not be allowed to disfigure our city. We are Citizens not Consumers. Imaging how much more beautiful our city could be if it were not covered up by ugly advertising hoardings. Sao Paulo, Auckland, Bergen, Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, Vermont, and 1,500 towns throughout the world have already banned external advertising. In the UK, Bristol has a campaign to ban outdoor adverts. Plymouth has already banned adverts for pay-day loan companies, whilst Leeds, Newcastle and Bristol are considering it. We should add our wonderful city to the growing movement to reclaim our open spaces. CONSUMER PRESSURE: Excessive advertising encourages us to run ever faster on the treadmill of modern consumer life with damaging consequences. It contributes to growing consumer debt and to the consumption of ever increasing amounts of the earth’s finite resources. Additionally advertising is increasingly sowing the seeds of unhappiness by persuading the consumer to be dissatisfied with what they have got, and so creating an artificial need to buy the next thing. Evidence from the Good Childhood Inquiry indicates that the most vulnerable groups to commercial pressures - children and young people - show higher rates of mental health problems. Removing advertising in public spaces, such as billboards, would free us in our outdoor environment from the pressure to consume and allow us to see previously obscured parts of our city. Any remaining empty spaces can be reclaimed for the purpose of art, poetry and inspiring social campaigns (e.g. volunteering, encouraging recycling). VISUAL POLLUTION: Currently there are laws on air pollution, noise pollution and light pollution - now is the time to take back our city from this visual pollution so that we can be citizens rather than just consumers. There is no doubt that the removal of advertising can change the appearance of our city enormously and allow us to see parts of the city previously hidden to us, opening up new exciting vistas. For more information see – “The Advertising Effect” http://www.compassonline.org.uk/publications/the-advertising-effect-how-do-we-get-the-balance-of-advertising-right/ Joint campaign by Exeter Friends of the Earth and Steady State Devon

The Teignbridge Local Plan which has just been adopted, has a policy to allocate 2000 new houses in the Matford area of Exminster Parish and a further 500 houses in the adjoining Alphington part of Exeter. This is a total of 2500 new houses which will generate 5750 new residents. There is currently a Draft Development Framework for SWE1 and SWE3 out for for consultation with an end date of 23rd May. It is very important that Teignbridge District Council ensure that the proposed mitigation to encourage the residents of the new development to use the new Ridge Top Park for recreation and dog walking rather than visit The Exe Estuary SPA, is put in place before any development starts. Exminster has already had one bird habitat destroyed when the Cirl bunting habitat on NHS land at Hillcrest was deliberately sprayed with weed killer to destroy the crops sown by the RSPB for the Cirl Buntings winter feed. The hedges and hedgerows were then cut back severely to remove the habitat where the Cirl Buntings lived. This happened last November when Planning Consultants were assessing Hillcrest for possible housing development in the future. The Exe Estuary, which includes the RSPB Exminster Marshes Reserve, is now at risk. Studies such as The Exe Disturbance Study clearly show that the increased number of people using the area for recreation and dog walking is already impacting on the birds and their habitat. Teignbridge District Council has carried out Assessments under The Habitats Directive. They concluded that the SWE1 development is part of an in combination effect of around 12,400 houses in Teignbridge and this together with further 12,000 houses in Exeter and 15,000 houses in East Devon making a total of 39,400 houses over 20 years generating an additional 90,000 people will have a Likely Significant Effect on The Exe Estuary SPA. The provision of a 70 hectare Ridge Top Park (SWE3) as a Suitable Alternative Green Space (SANGS) as well as other proposed mitigation measures are needed to mitigate this. The Exe Estuary was designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) in 1992. It is an internationally important site and is also designated as a Ramsar Site, European Marine Site and Site of Special Scientific interest (SSSI). It is a relatively small estuary but one which supports and sustains a wide range of designated habitats and species. The Exe Estuary also qualifies under Article 4.1 of The Birds Directive by supporting overwintering populations of Avocet (being one of only three SPAs classified for non breeding Avocets) and the Slavonian Grebe. The Exe Estuary also qualifies under Article 4.2 of The Birds Directive by supporting overwintering populations of migratory species and as a site supporting an internationally important assemblage of birds. More than 20,000 wintering waterfowl are found here including Black Tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Lapwing, Grey Plover, Oystercatcher, Red Breasted Merganser, Wigeon and Dark Bellied Brent Goose. There is potential harm if development near to The Exe Estuary goes ahead without appropriate mitigation in place, to the ongoing ability of The Exe Estuary to support and sustain its designated habitat and species. The Exe Estuary is a particularly small Estuary meaning that there is potentially little space for PEOPLE and BIRDS. The Bird Habitats of The Exe Estuary must be prevented from further harm. Teignbridge District Council, as the competent authority, has a duty to ensure the protection of sites such as The Exe Estuary which is classified for its habitats and species of European importance. Please help us to make sure they do by signing the Petition.

The permission was granted by the Forest of Dean District Council for their ownership, but the Monmouthshire Council have been making excuses for the last few years since the original proposal. All over the UK county after county's citizens have been benefiting from these valuable resources for leisure and transport purposes. Why are we waiting and consistently fobbed off with trivial excuses all the time? There are no cycle paths through Chepstow while everywhere else benefits. Despite all the Bills, Papers, and Consultations you pass and now 'The Wales we Want' campaign, we are ignored. This path would enable less able bodied people to access the beauty of the Wye Valley, it would provide business and opportunities locally, and hold these opportunities within Chepstow and surrounding villages where presently people go further afield for leisure facilities. Also it would encourage forms of sustainable transport such as cycling and walking, enabling many people to leave their cars at home. The already established paths in the UK are used by thousands everyday for multiple purpose. Why are we denied this resource, is it because our Council is blind to the future?

ACV listing is rare in Brent. Only two buildings have achieved this status: Queensbury Pub, and Kensal Rise Library. Both are located in areas undergoing 'gentrification' and they have been purchased by private developers who are seeking to strip or demolish the current structures in order to convert to residential use. Achieving ACV listing is no small feat, an application must demonstrate that the building has recently been used by the community, and that it has the ability to continue to be used by the community. Both the Queensbury and Kensal Rise Library met these strict criteria, but because they are situated in areas of rising property values their listing, and their very existence, is under threat. Hundreds of pubs and libraries in the UK have closed in the last several years, and many have looked to ACV listing as a way to protect much loved facilities. ACV should provide a network of support once achieved, but if Brent does not stand behind their listed properties, it will set a terrible precedent that will jepordise these two historic structures and make other ACV listings much more vulnerable as well. We need to protect our community spaces, because a society without places to congregate, isn't a society at all. Please stand with us to protect our community assets, and keep the private profiteers at bay. Active planning application Kensal Rise Library: Pending https://forms.brent.gov.uk/servlet/ep.ext?extId=101150&st=PL&reference=115466 Historic planning application Queensbury: Refused https://forms.brent.gov.uk/servlet/ep.ext?extId=101150&reference=114018&st=PL ACV info: http://www.dwf.co.uk/news/legal-updates/assets-of-community-value http://mycommunityrights.org.uk/case-studies/assets-community-value-planning/ ACV example: Angel Hotel, in Spinkhill https://www.dropbox.com/s/1hi5guldg3gfwc3/ACV%20pub%20decision%20Jan2014.pdf ACV example: The Ivy House in Nunhead https://www.dropbox.com/s/hhmicd356vuvusj/ACV%20to%20revive%20a%20local%20pub.pdf Rising property prices in Brent: http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/brent_witnesses_the_highest_hike_in_house_prices_in_london_1_3520425?usurv=skip

The lack of a pedestrian crossing of any description concerns me and other residents/parents greatly. As I said above, this is a main school route for parents walking their children to the local Infant and junior schools. As a househusband, I also walk my 6 and 9 year old to these schools every day. I designed a simple petition and collected nearly 200 signatures requesting the council to install an official pedestrian controlled crossing. I sent the petition off a long time ago, and have had numerous emails and telephone calls to, and from various people at Portsmouth City Council, local MP’s, local councillors and both head teachers, all supporting myself and other residents for our wish to see a crossing installed, but so far nothing has been done. At a recent council meeting, I was informed that there had been a cut in funding, and although my proposal for a crossing wasn’t dismissed outright, I quote from an email from the council that;- “this scheme has been put forward and we will await confirmation of the 2014/15 LTP programme early next year after proposals are taken to Cabinet. This usually occurs annually around March. After scheme submission, officers have little involvement and await feedback from senior managers early next year.” On a relevant issue, my son's friend got knocked over on Havant Road a few years ago, albeit at the pedestrian crossing near the small Tescos and Post Office further along Havant Road. Yet this simply reiterates the need for an official crossing, proving that this road is a busy thoroughfare, and accidents can happen even when there are pedestrian crossing installed. So to avoid another accident, there must be a pedestrian controlled crossing installed.

The UK wind industry now employs nearly 20,000 people and frequently exports more power to the grid than gas power stations. Costs are coming down, employment is going up and wind is reducing our consumption of fossil fuels. The Government's own public attitude surveys show that wind has high levels of public support, significantly above that for fossil fuel generation, fracking and nuclear. We in the UK have recently seen significant climate change induced weather events, toxic levels of air pollution and we now also face threats to our gas supply due to the Ukraine crisis. Now is not the time for the Government to be putting the brakes on the most cost effective form of 'green' generation, particularly in the light of the latest IPPC reports highlighting the huge threat posed to us all by climate change. We need much more renewable generation now for the sake of future generations, as any climatologist will tell you! Follow the link for more information; http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/apr/04/conservatives-promise-ban-new-onshore-windfarms

This is a well-used and loved local amenity constantly utilized by children, pet owners, ramblers, cyclists and even just people walking to the village shop. I have lived here for 15 years and have seen these woods used daily by many locals and also by ramblers, dog walkers, cyclists and horse riders who come from miles around to enjoy the wonderful views of Kent. Children play on their bikes, off the public footpaths, they even have a name for an area where they ride which has an undulating landscape, they call it "The Bumps". In the summer they play late into the evening and we often join them with marshmallows and drinks. If you want to avoid the road and the risk of getting run over, Stubbs Woods is a pleasant walk from Goathurst Common to the Ide Hill Village Shop. Many of us wander these paths to collect our Sunday paper. Last summer the residents of Goathurst Common and Mackerels Plain fought a planning application by one of the major landowners to develop another part of our area of outstanding natural beauty into an industrial farm complex. A petition raised to oppose that garnered 700 signatures. This was enough to persuade the local council to oppose the plan and it was eventually withdrawn citing the public opposition as the reason. So petitions work, I hope we can get a similar response to save our spectacular, ancient and well used public space.

This high quality agricultural land represents the last green space separating the rural village of Wimbotsham and the sprawl of Downham Market. It also borders a conservation area. Developing this field will facilitate the future destruction of the last natural and untouched open space available to the residents of Downham Market. This is an area of great biodiversity and natural beauty used for recreation by residents for more than twenty years. Development will destroy a rare elevated panoramic fenland view.

Housing Associations and Property Managers set rents and service charges for thousands of households in the UK. Today, there is little apparent transparency of their processes or into whether their charges are fair and offer value for money. Many members of the public simply don't trust them and see no way to change the situation without costly legal action. With many customers of these organisations falling into 'at risk' categories for one reason or another, the lack of effective regulation is leaving many at risk of debt and homelessness. For instance, Circle 33 has recently announced increases in charges which sees some shared owners in flats face increases of up to 147%. This is combined with increases in building insurance in some cases of up to 40%. No real detailed explanation as to why such a hike (if you combine the 147% and 40% together they equal 623 times the current rate of inflation) has so far been issued to all those affected by these inflation-busting increases.

The Runcorn Bridge connects two parts of the same town, Runcorn and Widnes, known collectively as Halton. The cost to local people who must use this bridge to go to work, to the hospital, to local shops, ice rink, cinema, cemetery, to Liverpool City and Airport, visit relations and many other reasons, the people of Halton will have to pay a local tax otherwise known as a toll. A voucher system has been offered giving locals a small discount but the bridge should be toll free for all.