In the words of Kermit the Frog, “It’s not easy being Green” and watching other political parties ignore or ditch their environmental credentials one by one in the perceived interest of getting votes.
A fortnight ago, the Conservative Government announced it’s scrapping ‘nutrient neutrality’ rules as a way to boost house building. This could lead to the ecological collapse of our waterways. The River Ellen in my ward already made it into The Times newspaper as running through the worst spillage site in the country (Plumbland waste water treatment works). Residents know the works are already too small for the number of houses.
Nutrient neutrality rules were put in place in 2017 by the EU. The rules prevent local authorities giving the go-ahead to new developments that are projected to add to river nutrients such as phosphates and nitrates, either through wastewater from new homes or run-off from building sites. We were promised that leaving the EU would not result in watering down our environmental regulations.
Rather than weakening regulation we need firmer controls on private water companies and hugely profitable housebuilders. The Green Party campaigns for public ownership of water companies so they could invest more in cleaning up our rivers. We also have a clear focus on affordable, high quality and environmentally friendly homes, by investing in a large-scale council house building programme.
Meanwhile last week, closer to home, the Labour-led planning committee refused consent for a single wind turbine at New Balance, Flimby. There were 20 letters of support and 21 letters of objection; it was recommended for approval by planning officers (albeit with 21 conditions) but still rejected by 6 members of the planning committee, with only one in support.
In the two main parties, despite their fine words, the lack of understanding of the climate and ecological emergency we are living through is quite shocking.
Cllr. Jill Perry
Published in Local Newspapers