Derbyshire Snapshot

With an election coming up, it`s pretty certain that low-profile grassroots-based campaigns and regional matters will be overlooked by the media and politicians to an even greater extent than usual ! Here`s a quick update on environmental causes and community-based groups in the Derbyshire area currently.


Butterley Ironworks - Following the timely intervention of the Friends of Cromford Canal, this issue seems now to be resolved, though the future of the site remains uncertain. (see earlier articles on this blog for background and links).

Stanton Ironworks - Public consultation on plans for the site will not now take place until June of this year. However, Erewash Borough Council are inviting comment from people in the area on their Core Strategy (closing date 12 April 2010). Campaign group Greensqueeze are asking supporters to use this opportunity to raise a number of concerns about the site. (Again, previous articles on this blog give background and links).

Say No to Tesco Extension / Save Heanor Town Centre - The local authority has approved Tesco`s plans for this area. It is unclear whether the campaign will continue under these circumstances. See the thisisderbyshire web site and/or the Tescopoly web site for any new developments. 

Derby Incinerator Applications - Contractors Resource Recovery Group and Cyclamax have both had applications to build incinerators in Derby (to dispose of waste material under contract with the Council) turned down recently. Both intend to appeal.

Particular criticism has been levelled at Derby City Council for providing public funding for RRG`s appeal against the findings of the Council`s own Planning Committee.

Both the Labour and Liberal Democrat candidates for Derby North accept there is some role for incineration, presumably to dispose of non-recycleable/non-compostible material without making further use of landfill. The dispute over RRG`s application has been particularly acrimonious, and campaigners have lodged a formal complaint against Councillors over the funding issue.   

Local media coverage at the thisisderbyshire web site.

Interested parties other than contractors and council are ; Sinfin and Spondon Against Incineration, Spondon Against Cyclamax Incinerator, Derby Climate Change Coalition and Derby Friends of the Earth.

Local Action, Local Voices - Derbyshire  County Council, Derbyshire Rural Community Council and the Government Office for the East Midlands  have joined forces to produce Local Voices - Local Action, a "community consultation handbook" described as "a must for anyone seeking the views of their community". It gives advice on "how to organise and run events and design questionnaires" and "explains the `whys and wherefores` of practical action". It also provides a `jargon buster` to explain pretentious terminology like `asset base` and `visioning` ! 

 Contact points are ;

joed@derbysrcc.org.uk

maggie.bishop@derbyshire.gov.uk

Climate Conference -  Community groups have taken part in Derbyshire`s first climate change conference. The event, which took place in Matlock County Hall,  was addresssed by a representative of the Town and Country Planning Association and workshops were run by represebntatives of the Energy Savings Trust and Global Action Plan. The event was aimed at the inhabitants of towns and villages and was intended to encourage "the formation of groups that will help people cut CO2 emmissions".