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If the council said it was going to concrete/tarmac/pave over Danson Park, there would be uproar. But vastly more greenspace/wildlife habitat in the Borough has been lost to cars in recent years.Why the loss of front gardens matters - to cut flood risk, reduce health-harming heat, restore our depleted nature, and raise resilience.
Lunchtime online discussion on Thurs 14 Nov. FREE.
Front gardens on the frontline - CPRE London - Tickets
cpre-london.eventcube.io
Front gardens on the frontline at Tickets and Information
Bexley RSPB autumn/Christmas fair this Saturday.This content isn't available at the moment
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it, or it's been deleted.
CROSSNESS NATURE RESERVE WORKS AND FUNDRAISER (tickets still available)From Site Manager, Karen Sutton.
Contractor activity over the next couple of weeks:
I wanted to make you aware that there is work going on this week on both Crossness sites, but access remains open as usual.
28/10 saw the start of remedial work on the Crossness Southern Marsh to assist (non-public) safe access across the fields, so you will see work going on in the distance, but nothing impeding access. And 29/10 sees the start of a phased fencing project beginning with replacement of fencing in the grazing paddocks at the east of
the reserve. There are a further two fencing projects to come later, involving fence replacement down Public Footpath 2 as it runs from the Protected Area south to Eastern Way, and then a more extensive replacement project in the paddocks on Crossness Southern Marsh.
Fundraiser this Saturday (2/11):
I look forward to seeing those of you that are attending the Save Crossness Nature Reserve (SCNR) fundraiser this Saturday at Lesnes Abbey Lodge.
**** Three tickets left as of 31/10 if you'd like to come along to hear the Wild Bexley presentation by Ralph and Brenda Todd (founder of Bexley RSPB); a presentation from me about what Crossness Nature Reserve special, and from Laurence Pinturault from the SCNR campaign about the threat from Cory and the public inquiry process (hearings begin next week) and ultimately the reason the group is raising funds and running this event. There will be an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets, JD Swann's signed Best Beaks, and to purchase some wildlife-themed items (including artwork from the artist that created the RSPB logo) and non-wildlife items that are collectable and/or would make great Christmas presents. All monies raised help SCNR fight the development threat.
Buy your tickets here and I look forward to seeing you on Saturday: Wild Bexley at Lesnes Abbey Lodge event tickets from
TicketSource
<https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/scnr/wild-bexley/e-bvjgkq>
BBC launch 'Your Voice, Your BBC News'
The BBC has launched 'Your Voice, Your BBC News' asking for people to suggest issues that they'd like to see the BBC reporting on. This was brought to my attention by a member who has taken the opportunity to submit something on the Cory threat to Crossness Nature Reserve, and suggested that others might like to do the same in an effort to get a bit of news coverage about the issue. If this sounds of interest, please see details here: Your Voice, Your BBC News: Tell us what issues matter to
you - BBC news:
<https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd0z0y2z3mjo>
THAMES21 VOLUNTEERS DONATE WELL OVER 400 HOURS OF TIME FOR BEXLEY COUNClL-OWNED THAMES ROAD WETLAND IN THE LAST SIX MONTHSThe numbers have now been added up for our accounting period of 1st April to 30th September 2024.
The Site Manager and two other regular volunteers put in 293 hours at the site, with 23 other people contributing a total of a further 102 hours. In addition, the Site Manager put in almost 48 hours of admin time on planning, writing reports, managing the site photograph collection, research and social media work/event promotion.
Whilst this is down on the 563h 49m for 1/10/23-31/3/24, it is significantly higher than for previous corresponding period of 1/4/2023-30/9/2023 when it was 213h 3m. We usually do less work in the summer period, but this year have been battling to push back stands of Reed, which left to their own devices will reduce the diversity of species at the site, as well as speed up its drying out. This has meant continued cutting, taking care to avoid disturbing nesting birds.
I thank everyone who has helped during the last 6 months, whether once, a few times or (semi-)regularly. It all helps, both with the practical work and with Thames21 funding bids.
We're already given just over 100 hours for October, but more assistance is always welcome given the amount of work that needs to be done over the winter. To book for our next staff-supported event on November 8th, when we will have a van full of equipment and are therefore able to cater for more attendees, please go to:
book.plinth.org.uk/e/jyHfDWO68FBjh72gDdBv
A few of us are also at the wetland most other Fridays. Check with "Ray Hudson" <rayhudson28@gmail.com> as providing sufficient tools can be an issue given that we have no nearby/on-site storage.
Chris Rose.
Volunteer Site Manager.
Free indoor monthly eco-market. Saturday November 2nd.11.00-15.00
Freemantle Hall, 51-75 Bexley High Street, Bexley Village DA5 1AA
Run by tghe not-for-profit Wasteless Market company. Shop from a range of eco-friendly makers and suppliers.
Ecofriendly household cleaning and bodycare products. Refill station so you can cut plastic consumption by re-using your own containers.
We will also be running our recycling for charity collection, taking materials not collected by Bexley Council, which are then sold to raise funds for good causes. See wastelessmarket.com/recycling for details of what we can accept for recycling, and the charities we support.
Join in with our toy, book and plant swaps.
Our website also provides details of our other re-fills and recycling collection events in Bexley.
wastelessmarket.com
CHARITABLE RECYCLING STATION Our Recycling Station is a drop off point for your hard to recycle items. We're diverting waste away from the incinerator and raising money for charity Recycling for chari...
Category Archives: Planning
Thames bridges, traffic pollution and Bexley mortality
Public Health England, in a report published earlier this year, estimates an annual excess death rate in Bexley (based on 2010) caused by airborne particulate pollutants – much of which comes from road traffic – as 122, with 1,255 years … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, Planning, Thames bridges
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FoCNR pressure improves Norman Road outlook – but major battles lie ahead
We have previously provided a partial report on the result of the Norman Road planning application. The following update has been written for the upcoming Friends of Crossness Nature Reserve newsletter, and contains the news that the developer has now … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, BNEF, Crossness Nature Reserve, Planning
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BNEF Comments on the initial Erith Quarry development proposals
700 homes planned for a Grade 1 Site of Importance for Nature conservation Here is Bexley Natural Environment Forum’s general submission on the initial proposals from the developers, presented at a public exhibition in July. BNEF is the umbrella body … Continue reading
Posted in Erith Quarry, Planning, SINC
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Support required! Critical test case for protection of key wildlife sites from ‘development’.
Last Thursday evening Medway Council’s Planning Committee voted unanimously to approve the notorious Lodge Hill development on a SSSI, despite having received over 400 objections from local residents, conservation groups and the Government’s own environmental advisors, Natural England. Please ask … Continue reading
Posted in Bird watching, Planning
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BNEF viewpoints on budget and bridges
Bexley Natural Environment Forum has the following concerns and views on these matters. Chair Ray Gray said ‘We would urge other groups and individuals to make submissions on these issues, as they have major implications for the long-term quality of … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, BNEF, Planning, Sustainability
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Norman Road planning decision.
Recently received the letter from the Council confirming the decision to allow the development at the former site in Norman Road, Belvedere. A number of us made objections to the planning application (see previous posts) and were disapointed that the … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, Planning
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Boris Island airport rejection
Local birdwatchers and RSPB members are delighted at the rejection of the ‘Boris Island’ Airport proposals by the Airports Commission. Welcoming the rejection of the Thames Estuary Airport at Cliffe, the RSPB have said. “Common sense has prevailed as the … Continue reading
Posted in Planning, RSPB, Sustainability
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How to respond to Bexley Council’s Budget proposals.
Bexley Council are running a consultation until Sunday 14th September on residents’ views of their further budget cuts. This gives us one more week to make our views known on potential impacts on parks, open spaces and wildlife … and … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, Consultations, Planning
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Environment Forum proposes positive alternative to Council ‘Growth’ strategy
Bexley Natural Environment Forum has today submitted to the Council a series of proposals for moving decisively towards true sustainability, instead of Bexley’s negative and irrational prospectus of a sustained and never-ending growth in resource consumption and concrete that can only … Continue reading
Posted in Bexley Council, Planning, Sustainability
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Please respond to UPCOMING CONSULTATIONS WITH MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS!
There are a number of consultation deadlines looming on Bexley Council (‘Growth’ strategy, Budget, Flood Review) and key GLA (London Infrastructure plan to 2050) and Transport for London (east London river crossings – yet again) proposals, all of which have … Continue reading
Posted in Light pollution, London Wildlife Trust, Parks, Planning, Rivers
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