Last month, we launched a campaign to protect the Colne Valley Regional Park in the face of overwhelming development pressure that now threatens its very future.
Its mission is to:
“Persuade decision-makers to act now to protect the special landscape of the Colne Valley Regional Park, specifically safeguarding it for future generations and enabling it to realise its full potential for the benefit of people and wildlife.”
We are pressing for implementation of a five-point plan:
1. Influence Local Planning
2. Restore the Landscape
3. Reform National Planning
4. Establish Status (specific protection for regional parks)
5. Protect Nature
CAMPAIGN UPDATE 10/01/24
Our campaign has already been hugely successful in reaching politicians and decision-makers. In just one month since it was launched (and with the Christmas break in the middle of it) we have made the following progress:
• Circulated a briefing note prepared specifically for local authorities, MPs, national government and other influential bodies.
• Used social media platforms to explain the campaign and its aims to a rapidly-growing audience, which has already led to numerous interactions.
• We have emailed leaders and other key contacts at the Park’s eight local authorities, nine MPs, ten parish, town and community councils, Natural England, four wildlife trusts, the Greater London Authority, three universities and 30 community groups and residents’ associations.
• Had discussions with the leaders of Slough and Spelthorne Councils. We have also been in contact with the Leader’s office in Hillingdon, and the chairman of Wraysbury and Horton parish councils.
• Corresponded with several local councillors and the Executive Member for Environment at Hertfordshire County Council.
• Had a positive and useful meeting with two civil servants in Michael Gove’s department, who have been invited visit the Colne Valley to see the effects on the ground and discuss solutions in more detail.
• Met the Hillingdon Cabinet member responsible for Environment and Planning.
• Welcomed Batchworth Community Council and Gerrards Cross Town Council as members of Colne Valley Regional Park. Both organisations have pledged to make a financial contribution.
We are grateful to those local authorities, MPs and others who have already been in touch with us to us to discuss how they can help the campaign, and we look forward to speaking to others in the coming weeks and months.
You can read more about the campaign here.
