Action Briefing Feb 2003 - Mar 2003
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

West Midlands News

Snippets from Shropshire

Rober Saunders of Telford FOE is keeping local planners on their toes by highlighting the removal of a hedgerow as part of the development of a school and highlighting both energy use and light pollution issues as part of the development of a car park at Princess Alexandra Hospital. He writes “I was pleased to read in the local press that the Princess Royal Hospital is now preparing its (retrospective) planning application for its car park lighting. As we spoke on the subject there has been significant public concern expressed over the excessive level of lighting. I estimate there are at least 26 off lighting columns in the public parking area (there is also the staff parking to the rear and side of the hospital). Each column has two off 500W lights, consuming in total some 26 kiloWatts of electricity at any one time. This is equivalent to 26 single-bar electric fires - I wouldn’t fancy standing anywhere near that!

"I respectfully suggest the existing lighting cannot meet the requirements of policies NR3 Energy Use and EH13 Light Pollution. Paragraph 2.4.40 states that: ‘Applicants will be expected to demonstrate to the local planning authority that the scheme proposed is the minimum needed for security and working purposes and that it minimises potential pollution from glare and spillage.’

"Paragraph 2.4.41 goes on to state that: ‘The reduction of light pollution will also reduce the amount of energy wasted, atmospheric pollution, the visual intrusion from new development and alleviate the difficulties of viewing the night sky in built-up areas.’

"In looking at many planning applications over the years I have yet to see one properly meet policies NR3 and EH13. Much time and effort is put into the development of the Local Plan such that its policies should be effectively implemented. Given the Council’s commitment to its Climate Change Declaration this is seriously undermining any possibilities to cut the borough’s carbon dioxide emissions and meet its 10% renewables electricity production.”

The council is also after European funding for a road, the so-called Greyhound Link road, for which at the present time they have no planning permission. At the same time they are lobbying heavily for the nearby RAF Cosford airfield to be opened for commercial aviation as part of the ongoing consultation on the future of aviation.

Better news from Oswestry FOE where the local authority have refused local MDF manufacturer Kronospan permission to install two 55 metre high chimney towers without air filters. They argue that these are needed to allow them to install a better air filtering system in six months time. The temporary higher stacks are required to provide the same environmental protection as the permanent towers with air filters. One wonders just where the boundary of that ‘same environmental protection' finishes?
Shrewsbury FOE walks and talks include a debate on the North West link road on 25th February in the Hobbs Room to be followed by a walk of the route on March 2nd from11.00am to1.00pm followed by a picnic or pint depending on the weather.

Chris Crean