Action Briefing Dec 2002 - Jan 2003
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

West Midlands News

Coventry FOE on the March

In addition to airports issues Coventry FOE are campaigning heavily on the issues of greenbelt protection and resource management. On the issue of protecting the greenbelt they are campaigning against a proposed football academy adjacent to the River Sowe.

In a recent letter to the Government Office asking for a public inquiry they state that: "Coventry has won two National awards for its urban greenbelt which runs right through Coventry along the river Sowe; from Aldermans Green in the north, to the south where it finally joins the Avon. The wide margin along the river is classified as ‘SINC’ (Site of Importance for Nature Conservation) quality and adjoining area as greenbelt. It is apparent that the present application ignores the importance of wildlife to recreation. The applicant, and the survey commissioned by Ove Arup, acknowledge that a number of protected species ‘including kingfishers, song thrush, and owls’ are ‘reliant upon the mixed structure of the existing grassland, scrub and woodland edges, to provide them with the feeding and breeding opportunities they need."

It is essential that Urban Green space is not only protected but enhanced for the use of all species, including humans. So why is it always these sites which come up for such developments when brownfield sites lie dormant and green desserts unused?

On resource management issues the group have recently collected messages urging the City to do more on recycling which they duly placed in discarded plastic bottles and presented to Leader of the Council Nick Nolan. This is all part and parcel of a campaign to stop the expansion of the incinerator and to ensure that all residents of the City can participate in a doorstep recycling scheme.

Chris Crean