Archive for April 24th, 2012
Tuesday, April 24th, 2012
Tamworth MP, Christopher Pincher, has given his backing to the “Big Jubilee Lunch” campaign to get local people to join together to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in the spirit of neighbourliness.
The Big Jubilee Lunch was launched at Westminster this week by England rugby legend Phil Vickery who was capped 73 times for his country in a playing career of over fifteen years. Mr. Vickery said he was proud of his country, proud to be part of the Jubilee celebrations and proud too to be part of an effort to encourage neighbours to get to know one another.
As announced by Buckingham Palace, The Big Lunch will be part of the main programme of events over the Diamond Jubilee weekend in June. Holding a Big Jubilee Lunch is a great way to bring neighbours together for an afternoon of food, friendship and fun and a record number of people are expected to take to the streets on Sunday 3rd June.
In 1977, some 10million people came out to street parties to celebrate the Silver Jubilee and organisers expect the same level of excitement in 2012.
Mr. Pincher said, “The Big Jubilee Lunch is an excellent initiative that I hope will be supported by the council, churches and charities. I encourage local residents and local groups to get involved and organise community lunches. It is a great way to make contact with your neighbours and check up on frail and vulnerable people that they are OK and also involved in the party.
“In the past people have been concerned about all the bureaucracy of holding street parties and some local authorities have been confused about the rules. That is why I have asked Transport Minister Mike Penning to write to all councils explaining how to close a road for a street party and to ensure everything is made simple. He has agreed to contact all councils as soon as possible.”
Actress Barbara Windsor, a Big Lunch Ambassador, said, “It is an absolute pleasure to champion The Big Jubilee Lunch. To once again see communities and neighbours work together to create such special occasions is heart warming and just what we need. I am so excited to be involved in what promises to be an exciting and historic year.”
For more information about The Big Lunch and how local residents can get involved call for a pack on 0845 850 8181, email info@thebiglunch.com or visit the website www.thebiglunch.com.
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Tuesday, April 24th, 2012
Christopher Pincher MP has this week personally submitted letters from over 100 Clifton Campville residents calling for a rethink on the rules around wind farm development.
The call comes in the wake of a decision by German developer Pro Wind to re-apply to build two turbines on land near the historic village.
Residents have long campaigned against the proposals and last year Pro Wind withdrew its application to build four turbines in the area. But now they have returned with an application to erect two turbines, both over 100 meters tall. Other local authorities in North Warwickshire, South Derbyshire and North West Leicestershire are also facing applications for wind farm development.
The letter is signed by 157 residents to Dr Greg Clarke MP, the Planning Minister, at the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Mr. Pincher commented, “Local residents are concerned about proposals for wind farms in our local communities. I along with local residents have been clear in opposing these proposals. They are not only damaging to our environment but they are also uneconomical and produce hardly any power.
“These letters ask the Minister to take into consideration villagers’ concerns and award them more power so they have more say in what is built in their local communities. That is the spirit of localism.
“I am pleased to learn from a letter I received from the Minister that the planning regulation has been strengthened. He stated that the: “The Framework also makes clear our unswerving commitment to conserving the countryside, whether or not it is nationally designated, and promotes the redevelopment of previously developed ‘Brownfield’ land”
“I welcome this commitment and I encourage local planners to take this into account.”
Recently in an article in the Sunday Times the Energy Minister, Greg Barker, suggested that the government’s energy policy will shift the balance away from wind farms to other sources of energy: “Far from wanting thousands more, actually for most of the wind we need… they are either being built, being developed or in planning. The notion that there’s some new wave of wind [farms] is somewhat exaggerated.
“There have been some installations in insensitive or unsuitable locations – too close to houses, or in an area of national beauty.”
Mr Pincher concluded, “I am pleased the Government is taking into account the economics of wind farms and is looking to redress the balance in favour of energy sources which are clean, predictable and do not scar the countryside. If we are over-reliant on wind farms, we may not have enough energy when the wind fails to blow – so it is exactly right to consider other sources of power.
“I shall be bringing the Energy Minister’s comments to the attention of Lichfield District Council – and Pro Wind.”
Tamworth MP, Christopher Pincher, has given his backing to the “Big Jubilee Lunch” campaign to get local people to join together to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in the spirit of neighbourliness.
