Latest Save Our Forests Updates | Blog | Save Our Forests | Save Our Woods

Why you should worry about the changes to planning policy…

16.10.2011

The opportunity to create a policy that would ensure positive, truly sustainable development of our landscape has been wasted by the desire to give a quick boost to the economy in uncertain times.

[..read more..]

Finally! DEFRA responds to Our Forests FOI submission

07.10.2011

Our Forests finally receives a response to the FOI submission sent to DEFRA & the Forestry Commission on the 29th July 2011

[..read more..]

Press Release: Government fails to meet deadline to answer questions on forests disposal proposals

05.10.2011

It is over 3 months since Our Forests sent in its submission seeking answers on the public forest disposal debacle, yet no final response has been provided, despite officials initially telling us, “we will be able to sort this out fairly quickly.”

[..read more..]

Soils, Sustainability & the NPPF

02.10.2011

Soil is the central hub for sustainability as essential to us and our economic progress as it is to the plants and animals we share our landscape with…

[..read more..]

The National Planning Policy Framework – what future for wildlife?

22.09.2011

Stephen Trotter, Chief Executive of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, writes in a personal capacity about his concerns about the NPPF and its potential to implement aspirations of the Natural Environment White Paper

[..read more..]

The National Trust – Planning for People

21.09.2011

The National Trusts, Ben Cowell, explains exactly why the Trust is fighting so hard to inform the public of potential issues with the NPPF and have the draft changed..

[..read more..]

Will the NPPF if introduced really help the construction industry or just those on the periphery?

20.09.2011

Retired civil engineer Dr J Flattery explores the reality of the draft NPPF to builders, contractors and landscapers…

[..read more..]

A Garden for Everyone? by Rod Leslie

15.09.2011

In our crowded country we simply haven’t the space for everyone to have a garden, so why shouldn’t we have gardens for everyone? by Rod Leslie

[..read more..]

An Appreciation of Trees by Julia Sorrell

13.09.2011

An artist, be they a stone waller, thatcher, writer, film director or painter, is someone who is able to either contribute to a landscape or encapsulate an element or a moment within a landscape. Artist Julia Sorrell writes exclusively for SOW…

[..read more..]

The Powerful Link Between Conserving Land and Preserving Human Health

10.09.2011

Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, writes… “Evidence suggests that children & adults benefit so much from contact with nature that land conservation can now be viewed as a public health strategy..”

[..read more..]

Ancient coppiced Oak, a portal to another World… Deep Play

09.09.2011

An illustration of how important it is that children have access to natural spaces; the closer to home the better…

[..read more..]

Draft NPPF – Time to look at case studies from abroad & allow public participation

08.09.2011

We now need to read and investigate; other case studies, Agenda 21 ? & other legally binding international documentation including European convention text, published academic research, etc.

[..read more..]

The Ancient and Venerable Tree Hero of France – Christophe Virat

05.09.2011

Krapo Arboricole is the largest independent blog on trees and forestry in the world. Created by one man, Christophe Virat. Here he writes exclusively for SoW.

[..read more..]

Why is the Government drawing battle lines over the NPPF?

05.09.2011

Greg Clark, the minister responsible for the draft NPPF, has drafted in George Osbourne & Eric Pickles to try & quash the campaign that exists to clarify points within the proposed new framework.

[..read more..]

Campaigning for Everybody’s Landscape

01.09.2011

The United Kingdom ratified the European Landscape Convention: It appears that whilst DEFRA are fully aware of the convention, are the DCLG?

[..read more..]

13 Steps towards a National Planning Policy Framework

31.08.2011

Alister Scott, Professor of Spatial Planning and Governance of Birmingham City University, is a social scientist, geographer and chartered planner with research interests centred around the changing nature of governance and partnerships. Here are his 13 steps towards a National Planning Policy Framework..

[..read more..]

Sustainability and the draft NPPF. Greg Clarks attack on the National Trust.

28.08.2011

Mr Clark, the politician responsible for the Draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), last week attacked the National Trust for highlighting the potential negative impacts it may have on the natural spaces closest to our towns and cities.

[..read more..]

The Forest Sell Off & the NPPF: We Need a Dictionary of Definitions

27.08.2011

Without tools to aid the general populace to reach a rational decision, or an illustration that government, NGOs and other experts are talking the same language, we will forever be stuck in a mire of ‘green washed’ terminology…

[..read more..]

Women, trees and hugging

17.08.2011

Trees have made me a better artist and a more conscious person. The more I lean on and learn about them, the more deeply I recognise the absolute bond that trees and humans share..

[..read more..]