Newsletter Number Twelve. Jan - Feb 2007

The 2 x 56 metre (183ft) Wind-Turbines which Green Amps proposed to erect at Withymoor Farm seem to be in abeyance but we continue to monitor the situation. The SoS Newsletter which grew out of this proposal will continue and keep the communities of Aston Ingham, Aston Crews, Gorsley, Kilcot and Linton informed about the local issues which continue to affect our countryside and landscape.

Alternative Energy: Short Course at Lydney to Find Out More.

Learn how to save energy and money! Renewable Energy for Domestic Installations. A short course at Whitecross School, Lydney, six Thursdays from 22nd February, 7pm to 9pm.
The course is for householders who are considering installing a small renewable energy system. No previous experience or knowledge is assumed. It will provide an overview of the typical energy use in the home and will describe ways in which this can be reduced
or replaced with energy from renewable sources.
Topics covered will include:
Renewable Energy Fundamentals and Solar Water Heating
Solar Electric Generation and Small Scale Wind Power
Micro Hydro Generation and Ground Source Heat Pumps
Biomass and Energy Conservation
Installing Equipment and Energy Storage and Grid Connection
Planning issues and Finance

By the end of the course you should be able to:
Understand how renewable energy systems work
Select appropriate renewable energy systems for a particular location or application
Estimate how much energy a renewable energy system will generate
Understand the financial investments and benefits offered
Communicate confidently with companies selling renewable energy systems

Please register your interest in the course with:
Al Jack al@sagegreentechnology.co.uk 0845 345 7564, or
Bob Handley bob.handley@hilldene.com
The cost of this course will be £30 for the six sessions. Payments will be collected on the first evening.

Renewable Energy Revisited.
Over the past months the alternatives have been investigated by SoS member Chris Tormey in a series of articles. Chris has now collated these articles and they are included in this newsletter as a handy pull-out, and are also available from our Blog-site.

The Nuclear Energy Question.
Local resident Moreton Brydon, reminded us that we have not included Nuclear Power as an alternative energy source. Moreton has written a long article outlining his personnel views about Nuclear Energy and we have published this on our Blogsite.
For completeness we have summarised the arguments for and against.

The Arguments in Favour of Nuclear Energy.
Ÿ Capacity - Nuclear energy is currently the only alternative that can provide power on a sufficiently large scale to satisfy world wide demand.
Ÿ Reliability (1) - The earth has limited supplies of coal and oil which are being exhausted whereas nuclear power plants need little fuel and so are less vulnerable to shortages
Ÿ Reliability (2) - International relations will have little effect on the supply of fuel to reactors because uranium is evenly deposited around the globe.
Ÿ Little or no pollution
Ÿ Health - As a result of reduced pollution, the population’s health could be expected to improve. (http://members.tripod.com/funk_phenomenon/nuclear/procon.htm)
Ÿ Safety (1) - The estimates of radon show that it is safer to use nuclear fuel than burn coal. Additionally nuclear power plants cause only 0.25 % of our exposure to radioactivity, while medical applications such as X-rays contribute 150 times more, according to figures from Germany. (http:/www.cbc.ca/news/background/energy/sources.html)
Ÿ Safety (2) - There have been few accidents world wide and nuclear power has proved to be one of the safest methods of producing energy.
Ÿ Cost - relatively low running costs.

The Arguments Against Nuclear Energy
Ÿ Safety (1) - The consequences of accidents, however few, may be catastrophic. As well as the danger of radiation release, decommissioning nuclear plants and the safe transportation & long-term disposal of nuclear waste are problematic.
Ÿ Safety (2) - Nuclear power stations may prove tempting targets for terrorist attack
Ÿ Not a short term solution - the average lead time to build a nuclear power station is around ten years.
Ÿ Cost - Nuclear plants have high capital, maintenance and decommissioning costs.
Ÿ Poor public perception on safety and aesthetic grounds.

Quiet Lanes.

Quiet Lanes are specially designated and signed minor rural roads that are appropriate to be shared by walkers, cyclists, horse riders and other vehicles, with the emphasis on sharing.
Gloucestershire County Council is investigating introducing them in the Cotswold Water Park and Worcestershire County Council is working with Inkberrow Parish Council on the idea.
We want to see if there is support for Quiet Lanes in this area and if there is, approach Herefordshire County Council with a request that they be introduced in our area.

First we need to,
o Identify a suitable network of lanes that are used by walkers, cyclists, horse riders and vehicles. These might link villages and particular points where people gather such as churches, village halls, shops, pubs and the like.
o Gauge local support for the idea, including putting the matter to the local Parish Councils
o Contact Herefordshire County Council and ask for them to take action.

So, by way of getting the ball rolling, this map is a first attempt at suggesting a suitable network of Quiet lanes. We propose that all lanes, be designated “Quiet Lanes” within the area bounded by the B4221 in the north; the B4222 in the east; the A40 in the south and in the west, the B4224 to Bromsash, the lane from Bromsash through Linton to the B4221 at Junction 3 M50.

We would like to hear from walkers, cyclists, horse riders and drivers what you think of this suggested network of lanes. Do you think this is a good or a bad idea and why? How could the suggested network of lanes be improved – tell us the alternative routes and why you support them?
Quiet Lanes certainly involve special – suitably rural- signage, and whilst not essential the CPRE suggests a 20mph speed limit. So let us know what you think.
Contact details are at the end of the newsletter.

We have been in touch with the long standing ‘Road Action Group’ which is seeking further safety improvements to the B4221 and we know that the Aston Ingham PC is pursuing concerns about the B4222. The Quiet Lanes Initiative can only be applied to undesignated roads so, it will be complementary to the Road Action Group and the current work being done by Aston Ingham PC.

Local Food and Reducing Food Miles

With the increasing importance attached to locally produced food in reducing food miles, and the associated ecological and animal welfare improvements, SoS has decided to set up a web-directory of local producers and suppliers of food. The directory will be held on our blogsite (www.southherefordshiresos.blogspot.com) and will be updated on a regular basis.
We are very aware that our first draft is far from complete so please help by contributing to the list - we welcome additions to the directory as well as any amendments or comments. Please contact Lesley at (lesleysos@hotmail.co.uk)

The Government is Trying to Take Local Planning Decisions Away From Us.

A coalition of environmental charities including CPRE and the Woodland Trust, has set up a website to co-ordinate opposition to some of the proposals contained in the Barker Report, published by HM Treasury in December.
The coalition is urging us to use the website http://www.planningdisaster.co.uk/ to email MPs where a petition reads,
'The Treasury has decided that the planning system is a barrier to business. They want to remove what they see as obstacles – including you and your community getting involved. Our town and country planning system plays a crucial role in protecting our environment and communities. We believe that involvement from local people improves the decisions made and is the key to successful developments. We work to safeguard your rights and to protect your environment.’
The Treasury has carried out a series of reviews. They have recommended major changes to the planning system – cutting you out of the picture. If the recommendations are implemented, it could mean: reducing public involvement in inquiries to speed up major projects; increased domination of supermarkets in town centres at the expense of local shops; reducing your right to have a say in plans; wildlife, habitats and green belts under threat from development. The land use planning system is the most powerful and effective form of environmental and social regulation ever introduced in the UK. We need to protect our rights to be involved in local decision-making.
While the pressure groups are mounting their own campaign, the Government has also invited views on Kate Barker's final report, no later than 5th March (at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/4EB/AF/barker_finalreport051206.pdf ).

If you want to protect your ability to have any say in future local planning decisions act now to register your protest against this proposed change.

The Action Group leading the SoS campaign is chaired by Jane Bradney (01989 750862). Other members are Chris Tormey (01989 720861), Lesley Rackley (01989 720358).
If you are interested in supporting any of the issues raised in this Newsletter or would like to join the group please ring Jane Bradney on 01989 750862. Alternatively visit our blog http://www.southherefordshiresos.blogspot.com/