Ros Coward says, ministers should prioritise brownfield development and pay attention to Save Kent’s Green Spaces, a day of action on Sunday.
In a letter to the Guardian published on Monday 22 November 2021 she wrote:
Your leader on urban rewilding schemes (19 November) correctly points out the ecological value of brownfield sites such as Kent’s Swanscombe peninsula. But not all brownfield sites are as valuable, and a stronger “brownfield first” policy is still urgently needed to protect against the escalating loss of valued countryside. According to a 2021 CPRE report, there is enough brownfield land available for 1.3m new homes. Yet planning legislation favours building on greenfield sites, which is easier and more profitable for developers.
Boris Johnson recently adopted “brownfield first” rhetoric, but will it guide Michael Gove’s new planning legislation? After Chesham and Amersham, and with more by-elections coming up, ministers would do well to notice what’s happening in Kent on Sunday. Campaign groups are coming together for a day of action, Save Kent’s Green Spaces. They know how much of the Garden of England will be lost if current plans for huge housing developments go ahead.
Across the country, many are distressed at the suburbanisation of their countryside. Planning legislation must now be harnessed to protect nature and open spaces.
“Save Kent’s Green Spaces” is a day of action planned on 28 November 2021 to draw together the groups and residents across Kent who oppose the widespread destruction of our County’s green spaces.
Join the voices of Kent
We want to see everyone participating in the “Save Kent’s Green Spaces” Day of Action on 28 November. For those who don’t have a nearby campaign to join, or can’t take part, or would like to send a message to the Government, here’s what to do:
- On a mobile, film a short video message.
- Find a green field, garden or park. Inside your home is OK.
- Do an individual video, or with family, friends or your pet.
- We would like everyone on the video to say: “We are [your name(s)], we live in [where you live] – Boris, Save Kent’s Green Spaces Now!”
- You can jump at the end, say hoorah or whatever you fancy.
- Please keep your video to a maximum of 10 seconds.
To share your videos on Twitter, use the hashtag #savekentsgreenspaces… If you prefer Facebook, tag the Save Kent’s Green Spaces Facebook page (@savekentsgreenspaces), or post your video messages in the comments of a post we will create especially for that purpose before the Day of Action… Or email us your messages or pictures at savekentsgreenspaces@gmail.com
Thank you for participating. As a united community, Councillors, MPs and the Government cannot ignore our VOICE!!
Remember, remember… the 28th of November!
Send SKGS your photos and images of the day and let us know how many people were at your event.
For Twitter use #savekentsgreenspaces. For Facebook, tag the Save Kent’s Green Spaces page (@savekentsgreenspaces), or post your pictures or video messages in the comments of a post we will create on Saturday for that purpose. Or email your pictures and comments to savekentsgreenspaces@gmail.com
We can stop the bulldozers – we can save the Garden of England.
