RECOGNISING THE VALUE OF UNSPOILT LAND FOR JOBS

The Coalition Government wants more development on greenfield sites(1), which already have employment value. Dr Hazel Dawe, Campaigns Officer, Kent Green Party, explains:

“Kent Green Party has been investigating the employment value of land in its current state, challenging the Government’s idea that land must be developed to create employment. This is particularly relevant to Kent and Medway where resisting recession must include making good, sustainable use of land. Examples include:
“Domestic tourism is growing, offering increasing work in Kent. In Thanet, converting Manston Airport into all weather leisure facilities would be a winning combination with The Turner Centre and a revitalised Dreamland leisure park. Retaining open space for sport and recreation and for vital green spaces in urban areas means more jobs to maintain these spaces. It is vital that the Hoo Peninsula in Medway area be protected(2). Expanding walking and cycling routes into proper networks contributes to recreation, cycling to work and to domestic tourism. We want to see more cycle routes added to the Sustrans networks in East and West Kent. Our natural environment and biodiversity in Kent and Medway offers much to residents and visitors alike, justifying more employment than today for maintenance. We need to protect flood plains to protect businesses at risk in flood prone zones. We need land for more food and expanding the forestry industry to help cut imports and increase local jobs.
“The Coalition Government simply does not recognise the potential of land as a source of new, sustainable employment.”

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FURTHER INFORMATION: Dr Hazel Dawe, a Campaigns Officer of Kent Green Party, can be contacted on 079444 71083 or 01732 355185. Contact address as above. Promoted by H.Dawe and published by Kent Green Party, both at 27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF.

KENT GREEN NEWS, a free monthly ezine, is available for subscription at www.kentgreenparty.org Notes: 1. We note its aborted attempt to sell off the nation’s forests, its ill thought out attempt to change the Planning system into a developers charter and its failure to emphasise housing development from existing empty properties as examples. Kent Green Party has responded in detail to the Government consultation on changing planning laws and to the combined local councils Kent Housing proposals. See our documents on these topics and others under Publications at www.kentgreenparty.org
2. See for example, as part of the RSPB’s work on the Peninsula: http://www.camacdonald.com/birding/Hotspots/England/HooPeninsulaNorthwardMap.html and Medway council guidance on circular walks on the Hoo Peninsula: http://www.medway.gov.uk/pdf/g2238-hoowalks-complete.pdf Kent Green Party opposes suggestions of airport creation in or near this area;