County Council July Meeting

When the County Council met in July we were presented with a Green Party motion about the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill which is now in the House of Lords having been passed in the Commons.

The motion expressed concern that the Bill removes protection for our environmentally sensitive areas and for the survival of endangered insects, wildlife and plants. Indeed, it allows local authorities to bypass current protections under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Habitats Regulations adopted in 2010

This struck a chord across the political spectrum and the final motion included wording contributed by Conservative members asking for proposals to enhance protection for Dark Skies sites as outlined by the Dark Skies All Party Parliamentary Group.

With so many environmentally precious sites in East Sussex including National landscape (previously called Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty), The South Downs National Park, Ashdown Forest, the Pevensey levels and many smaller specially protected sites, it is important that we have protections in the midst of the mad rush to build houses everywhere.

The motion asked the Leader of the Council to write to all our local M.P.s asking them to support amendments to the Bill and vote against its Third Reading if adequate amendments are not included. The motion was passed and the Leader, Councillor Glazier will be doing this.

It was interesting that the motion was supported across the political spectrum with only one Labour member voting against it.

It was refreshing for the Council to agree almost unanimously on the need to protect our local environment. Other Green Party policies such as unlimited immigration, no economic growth, massive tax rises, cutting defence spending, discouraging motorists and restricting animal ownership would not get a lot of support as would be the case with Conservative policies which are the reverse of these but we are united on this one policy.

Owlsbury

Before we even get to considering the horrendous plan to build 1700 houses at Owlsbury, we need to realise that there are already 2400 houses approved but as yet unbuilt in the Uckfield area and the surrounding villages. There are other applications in the pipeline and the Planning Inspector has agreed on appeal a really destructive development at Buxted near the school which is on a very historically important site.

The impact on our local services will be tremendous and even with developer contributions there will not be the money to build the roads, schools, health centres and recreational facilities we will need.

We keep fighting.

Roy Galley.cllr.roy.galley@eastsussex.gov.uk

01825 713018