PAST ACHIEVEMENTS
Practical conservation
Initially the society cleared 60 tonnes of rubbish off the woodland in order to plant new indigenous trees. You might remember the hurricane force winds in 1990 and the effect on the shallow-rooted beech trees…. By May 1991 the society had planted 1300 trees in the woodland areas. Wildflowers have been planted, hedges layered and restored, path sides strimmed. Twice a year the society calls on its volunteers for a litter blitz of the woodland. Its amazing what people are prepared to throw in the woods – cookers, lawnmowers and car parts to name but a few. Out of sight, woodland can too easily become a tip. That is why in 1984/5 the society installed 465 bollards, 3 locked removable rails and 14 notice boards at the edge of the woods and footpaths to discourage such dumping.
Opposition to Development in Local Green Belt and AONB
It in inevitable that living in the South East there will be pressure on any open space. Whilst Green Belt and AONB designations afford us some protection, it does not prevent many and varied planning applications being made. We cannot afford to be complacent. If we lose one small area of Green Belt or AONB to development, a precedent is set and we risk losing it all. The society obtains copies of all planning applications put to the local council, and so keeps abreast of what is happening. The society has objected to many planning applications that would have had a detrimental effect on our local environment. In addition to commenting on Local Authority plans in our area, waste and transport strategies and environment plans, we have:
Fought against two proposals by Mobil Oil to build a Motorway Service Area (MSA) on Green Belt/AONB land adjoining the woods off the Lane End Road. Once in 1990 and again in 1995. this opposition need a great deal of work and time in attendance to the Public Inquires. It was due to the expense of preparing for this that our “Fighting Fund” account was set up.
Objected to a Council Plan that would allow future development in the AONB fields at Sands. Local Residents were “gagged” from objecting by means of covenants attached to their properties. The society acted on their behalf for some successes.
Taken action to open up footpaths at Newmer Common that had been deliberately blocked. This entailed a great deal of work in establishing the ‘right of way’ and finding people who had used the path before 1961 and were prepared to give evidence to the Bucks County Council.
Objected to a number of planning proposals including a waste transfer facility, the extension of Booker Tip and a clinical incinerator – all of which have been refused planning permission over the years.
Campaign against Noise and Air Pollution
In addition to the motorway []and our fight to stop a MSA being built that would have added to both noise and air pollution, we have the Air Park which augments noise levels. After many years of campaigning, the society obtained agreement in 1992 for the public to attend the Air Park Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meetings, which were previously held behind closed doors. The society also gained membership of the JCC, the only voluntary organisation to do so. The JCC has no executive powers but does provide a forum for individuals to air their views. In addition, the society represents the wider views of the members. You may be surprised to know that in 1989 the Air Park was the third busiest airport in the UK (after Heathrow and Gatwick) in terms of aircraft movements. The society has recently been asked by the Department of Transport, Environment and the Regions to comment on their paper on noise and the future of aviation.
In the past, the society also relayed the concerns of its members about the gunshot noises from the shooting ground off the Lane End Road, as a result of which 20-foot high earth screens were erected and trees planted.
Practical conservation
Initially the society cleared 60 tonnes of rubbish off the woodland in order to plant new indigenous trees. You might remember the hurricane force winds in 1990 and the effect on the shallow-rooted beech trees…. By May 1991 the society had planted 1300 trees in the woodland areas. Wildflowers have been planted, hedges layered and restored, path sides strimmed. Twice a year the society calls on its volunteers for a litter blitz of the woodland. Its amazing what people are prepared to throw in the woods – cookers, lawnmowers and car parts to name but a few. Out of sight, woodland can too easily become a tip. That is why in 1984/5 the society installed 465 bollards, 3 locked removable rails and 14 notice boards at the edge of the woods and footpaths to discourage such dumping.
Opposition to Development in Local Green Belt and AONB
It in inevitable that living in the South East there will be pressure on any open space. Whilst Green Belt and AONB designations afford us some protection, it does not prevent many and varied planning applications being made. We cannot afford to be complacent. If we lose one small area of Green Belt or AONB to development, a precedent is set and we risk losing it all. The society obtains copies of all planning applications put to the local council, and so keeps abreast of what is happening. The society has objected to many planning applications that would have had a detrimental effect on our local environment. In addition to commenting on Local Authority plans in our area, waste and transport strategies and environment plans, we have:
Fought against two proposals by Mobil Oil to build a Motorway Service Area (MSA) on Green Belt/AONB land adjoining the woods off the Lane End Road. Once in 1990 and again in 1995. this opposition need a great deal of work and time in attendance to the Public Inquires. It was due to the expense of preparing for this that our “Fighting Fund” account was set up.
Objected to a Council Plan that would allow future development in the AONB fields at Sands. Local Residents were “gagged” from objecting by means of covenants attached to their properties. The society acted on their behalf for some successes.
Taken action to open up footpaths at Newmer Common that had been deliberately blocked. This entailed a great deal of work in establishing the ‘right of way’ and finding people who had used the path before 1961 and were prepared to give evidence to the Bucks County Council.
Objected to a number of planning proposals including a waste transfer facility, the extension of Booker Tip and a clinical incinerator – all of which have been refused planning permission over the years.
Campaign against Noise and Air Pollution
In addition to the motorway []and our fight to stop a MSA being built that would have added to both noise and air pollution, we have the Air Park which augments noise levels. After many years of campaigning, the society obtained agreement in 1992 for the public to attend the Air Park Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meetings, which were previously held behind closed doors. The society also gained membership of the JCC, the only voluntary organisation to do so. The JCC has no executive powers but does provide a forum for individuals to air their views. In addition, the society represents the wider views of the members. You may be surprised to know that in 1989 the Air Park was the third busiest airport in the UK (after Heathrow and Gatwick) in terms of aircraft movements. The society has recently been asked by the Department of Transport, Environment and the Regions to comment on their paper on noise and the future of aviation.
In the past, the society also relayed the concerns of its members about the gunshot noises from the shooting ground off the Lane End Road, as a result of which 20-foot high earth screens were erected and trees planted.