Successful Campaigns

UPDATE: We won! 15/07/17 Yesterday, Carlos and I went before a court judge to determine if we could stay here together in the UK. It was a strange morning as we prepared to fight for our right to be a family here! But it is with a huge smile that I can report that the judge overturned the Home Office's refusal to allow us to be a family and within less than 30 minutes not only had we finished his session but he asked Carlos to return to his seat and told him there and then that he would grant him Right to Remain!!!!!! Sanity, compassion and humanity prevailed yesterday :)

26/04/25 Back in 2022, you kindly signed our petition calling on Islington Council to simplify planning rules to allow more energy efficiency upgrades in listed and conservation area homes, for both owners and renters. For three years, thanks to your more than 2000 signatures, our campaign group has lobbied hard for the Council to modernise its approach and strike a better balance between conservation and energy efficiency. In the autumn, the Council will finally publish a brand new set of rules. Although progress has been slower than promised and the first draft document has been flawed, we are pleased that many of our recommendations for a more user-friendly and cost-effective approach to planning will be adopted. https://www.letstalk.islington.gov.uk/draft-climate-action-supplementary-planning-document It took a huge collective effort by residents and experts to get us this far. We are particularly grateful to Chris Procter, author of a seminal climate emergency conservation area toolkit, for his meticulous critiques of the council’s work and getting the council to rectify important gaps like accepting slimline vacuum glass for windows. Having got this far, it is now time to end our campaign. However, Chris Procter will continue to lead the way with both the Council and residents on all things retrofit. So if you wish to explore retrofit opportunities for your home please feel free to get in touch with him at [email protected] https://www.procter-rihl.com/ In other news, our co-founder Leyla Boulton was recently elected councillor for the City of London's Bassishaw ward, where she will continue to campaign for better and more sustainable use of buildings. In the meantime she’s thrilled to have installed solar panels on her roof in Islington. Thank you again for your support and happy retrofitting! Leyla Boulton and Anne-Marie Huby Co-founders The Green Conservation Campaign

08/10/14 - At a meeting on Wednesday morning Dorset County Hospital's board decided in favour of a recommendation from experts to keep the threatened pathology service and commit an additional £100,000 to the facility. For more details please read Dorset Echo's article: http://bit.ly/1ED7j4Y

We Won! 10/04/15 After a long campaign that saw the community stand up for one of its local assets, Wandsworth Council finally stepped in and used its powers to protect the Wheatsheaf from sale

We wanted the licence for the puppy farm to be revoked and it was 7 months after the petition was handed to the Council.

Lunch time on the 22nd November Jenny Chalmers and I had a site meeting with Councillor John Howard one of the Ward Councillors and Councillor Jas Athwal Leader of Redbridge Council, both councillors were very receptive to the Haul Road cause noting the terrible loss of habitat in the Country Park area and the potential effects on protected wildlife. Cllr Athwal stated that he was going to discuss the situation with senior officers of the Council. In the evening we had the deputation booked for the full Council Meeting at Ilford Town Hall six of us took to the Council Chamber floor where Jenny gave the deputation address, fitting in all the main points within the allocated two minutes. A series of question and answers followed from the assembled Councillors when finally Cllr Athwal asked the final question “My question is, if we move the haul road to the area that you suggested, would that meet your requirements?” I replied “It is a compromise, from our perspective that is the least evil route.” Cllr Athwal replied “Done!” There were smiles from the assembled Councillors and jubilation from the supporters that braved the cold night to be in the gallery. So we have done it, people power has won the day for nature conservation. So thank you all for your support I don't think we could of done it without you! The local Recorder newspapers website has coverage if you wish to read more at https://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/politics/fairlop-waters-gravel-lorries-wildlife-reprieve-1-5792315

25/03/21 We are delighted to share breaking news that the Millstone Point salmon battery farm application has been REJECTED! The North Ayrshire Council Planning Committee has just concluded their discussion of the application by the "Scottish" Salmon Company; the councillors voted unanimously to refuse the proposal. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported on this long journey. There may yet be more chapters to this saga if the decision is appealed by the applicant; but for now we celebrate this momentous decision which rightly acknowledges the special qualities of this area and the vital importance of Arran's natural environment to our wellbeing and economy. With very best wishes, Russ Cheshire on behalf of all the Friends of Millstone Point.

UPDATE! We won! The council have committed to funding Ashcroft and keeping it open. But we may have another fight on our hands to secure the long term future of the mental health unit, and may need a new petition very soon, directed at different commissioners...

We won! - 27/03/15 This news was confirmed by Paul Senior, the Consultant who is heading the SEN changes together with Adrian Orr (Interim Director, Education and Learning). The notification says: "Dear Parent/Carer Following consultation relating to the future of SSCs being halted, I am now able to confirm that there will not be any changes to current provision before the end of the 2015/16 school year.'