planners agree 1400 Whitfield Homes

... But no Jobs or additional Water


"AN outline planning application for phase one of the expansion of Whitfield has been approved, despite a warning that affordable housing may be dropped from this part of the village development.
At a meeting last Thursday, the planning committee voted in favour of the proposal put forward by developer Phillip Jeans Homes.

Two votes were made against the decision, including one from Whitfield councillor Jim Back. Five members voted in favour of the scheme.

Phase one will see 1,400 homes, a 66-bed care home, a 420-place primary school, shops, green space and roadworks to upgrade roundabouts and create new access on the A256.

The overall five-phase, 20-year building project consists of three sites, comprising six new neighbourhoods, to the west, north and east of the village.... "

Read the full report at This Is Kent

Camp Frack in Blackpool

Weekend of 17th-18th September

Join the resistance to the “fracking” invasion! Stop the imminent expansion of shale gas extraction all around the UK! We need renewables - sacrificing our countryside for every last drop of of fossil fuel is crazy! Camp Frack will be in the Blackpool/North Lancashire area near the ongoing exploratory drilling activities. It will involve workshops on shale gas, and on planning the campaign against it. It will involve raising local awareness about the problems with shale gas and an action day of peaceful protest against the drilling activities currently in progress in the Blackpool area. Register your interest by filling in the form at www.campaigncc.org/campfrack. We will send you more information as soon as it is available. If you are interested in getting a coach from London then please tick the box. This will give us an idea of numbers and help us plan transport. If you are able to spare a bit of time to help the camp run smoothly, tick the corresponding box and we will get in touch. Camp Frack has already amassed interest from the media, including The Guardian and the Blackpool Gazette. See our shale gas page here and download a PDF flier for the camp here. Listen to the recording of our London Public Meeting on 19th July with Kevin Anderson from the Tyndall° Centre, Caroline Lucas MP, Michael Meacher MP and local Blackpool campaigner, Phil Mitchell. Put this date in your diary – more info to come soon. Please forward this e-mail to everyone you know!

Deal Mayor's support transition town Deal

We had four past mayors of Deal Town Council with members of Deal With It out today celebrating the Town Council's support for Deal becoming a Transition Town.

The event marked the Deal Town Council vote last week to support 'Transition Town Deal'.

Rosie Rechter Deal With It Co-ordinator said " This is a great step forward and the support of the town council will add value and weight to the communities campaign to transform Deal into a Zero Carbon town by 2030"

Victoria's Green Matters 3rd August 2011

Deal With IT's Secretary Victoria Nicholls writes a regular column in the East Kent Mercury:

There was good news from the European Union (EU) last week that the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) practice of discarding healthy fish at sea is to be phased out and long-term plans established to ensure that fish stocks become healthy for future generations. Fish discards have been the subject of a campaign, ‘Hugh’s Fish Fight’, by TV personality, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, which highlighted the continuing obscenity of throwing away perfectly good food because the fisherman had exceeded his quota or had caught fish outside his quota.

The EU fisheries chief, Maria Damanaki, has said that action is needed now and she wants to ensure that fish stocks are at sustainable levels by 2015. This poses something of a problem because most fish stocks in Europe are already overfished. Recent academic studies have suggested that present fish stocks are less than 10% of post-war levels. This is because Europe’s fishing fleet is too large and has been overfishing for many years. There will be opposition from fishing groups that feel that they will be penalised under new rules but it is imperative that fish stocks are kept healthy and productive for the future.

The new proposals will include targets and time frames to stop overfishing and ways that enable fishermen to trade their quotas. Some fishermen will be able to leave the industry if they wish and there will be support for small fisheries. Plans also include decision making being devolved from Brussels to the regions, which will please many who fear the bureaucracy of the European Commission.

But these proposals are just proposals and many people have to agree to them before they are put in place. There is urgent need to reform our fishing industry so that we can support the jobs and communities that rely on it and ensure fish stocks for years to come.

Great news for Deal and Sandwich commuters!

Great news for Deal and Sandwich commuters!

Three early morning direct HS services UP (departing Sandwich at 05:50, 06:18 and 06:50, calling at Deal six minutes later) and two early evening services back down (leaving St Pancras International at 17:40 and 18:40) will start A MONTH EARLY on 5th September.

The new services will operate Monday to Friday and will take approximately 90 minutes.

"The early start is a timely vote of confidence in the future of Deal and Sandwich from the rail operator," said IAN KILLBERY of campaign group Trains4deal.

"The new service aimed at local commuters starts just as Pfizer lay-offs begin to bite. A 90-minute commute opens new job opportunities for local people, and it will be popular with many Deal commuters who now drive to Dover or Ashford to catch the train."

Trains4deal will press for swift action to improve parking and drop-off facilities at both stations, to avoid parking chaos in nearby streets.

Next step in the Trains4deal campaign?

"The success of the high-speed Open Golf trains, which often ran with standing room only, shows the strength of pent-up demand for faster travel to and from East Kent. More direct HS trains during the day and at weekends are what the tourist trade and local businesses really need to bring people down from London," said TOM ROWLAND also of Trains4deal. "There are still HS trains lying idle during the day and at weekends; if the commuter service is well-used that will help make the case for using some to make further improvements to services on the Deal and Sandwich line."

More details at http://www.trains4deal.com

Tom Rowland / Ian Killbery admin@trains4deal.com
Join the rail-users' group for the Deal area
Campaigning for High Speed trains to Deal - NOW!
http://www.trains4deal.com
Join the trains4deal group on Facebook

Letter to Charlie on Fracking... from Kent Green Party

Dear Editor, Charlie Elphicke MP is choosing to support possible hydraulic fracking near Woodnesborough. Having debated the subject with him on radio and having attended a major public meeting on the subject in London(1), I must ask him through your newspaper to re-consider his position on this issue. Hydraulic fracking, using a mixture of water and chemicals to extract shale gas from rocks, has been shown to cause groundwater contamination, air pollution and is implicated in the recent earthquakes in the Blackpool area which occurred whilst fracking was taking place. As an
area with comparatively low rainfall and an increasing population, East Kent in general should not welcome any industrial activity that uses and pollutes large quantities of water.

Banned in South Africa and about to be banned in France, hydraulic fracking is under investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency in the USA after widespread problems associated with this practice. Does Mr Elphicke
want groundwater pollution, subsidence, declining property values and additional greenhouse gas emissions to be features of his constituency? Since reductions of 50-70% in energy demand are possible through improved
energy efficiency in the UK, we do not need marginal amounts of gas obtained at the expense of our water supplies(2). Obtaining shale gas using techniques known to be environmentally damaging is neither necessary nor consistent with the fight against Climate Change which Mr Elphicke’s own Party supports. Nor could it be expected that a rigorous environmental impact assessment of hydraulic fracking would allow the activity to take place anywhere, given the record in other countries which can be seen in detail on line.

There is no shame in admitting you are wrong. I am sure the community will rally behind their MP if he decides to fight fracking. Let him now do so.

Yours sincerely Steve Dawe PRESS OFFICER, KENT GREEN PARTY

Scything for beginners...

Hi Transitioners,
My name is Beth Tilston and I am a scything tutor. I am writing to gauge your interest in joining forces to run a one or two day scything course in your area either before the end of October this year or from May onwards next year (due to grass growth). Scything, as I am sure you know, is a way of cutting grass and weeds using a blade and human power rather than power tools such as strimmers and lawnmowers. A scythe is useful for lawns, allotments, community orchards - all the way to meadows and mountainsides. I am looking for appropriate areas in which to run courses. An appropriate area would be somewhere which had access to a reasonable amount of grass which isn't regularly mown short, plus somewhere with nettles, docks, thistles etc to provide variety. I teach groups of up to six and can work with another tutor for larger groups. I provide all the equipment (including safety equipment) necessary and am fully insured. I am also available to do demonstrations.

Scything is a skill that takes time to learn but a skillful scyther can work as fast as a strimmer. Here’s a video of Peter Vido, a scyther in America, showing the versatility of a scythe. Scythes are also:

• Zero carbon

• Quiet - better for residential areas and for the hearing of the person cutting the grass - and for general peace and quiet!

• Safe - Though it does involve using sharp blades, there are fewer health and safety risks in the long term than mechanical devices. For example, there is no risk of whitefinger or any other vibration related ailments.

• Fuel free - and therefore cheaper in the long term

• Easy (and interesting) to maintain

• Requires skill to use and therefore makes the job interesting

Please email me at bethtilston@googlemail.com or phone me on 07818474712 to discuss options.

Thanks

Beth Tilston

Climate Change beyond dangerous...

Prof Kevin Anderson of the Tyndall Centre in Manchester online lecture 'Climate Change beyond dangerous'

Professor Kevin Anderson - Climate Change: Going Beyond Dangerous

View another webinar from DFID

http://www.slideshare.net/DFID/professor-kevin-anderson-climate-change-going-beyond-dangerous

Gasland film 16th August

Deal Beach Clean 31st July

A really big thanks to all our volunteers who came on this morning's Beach Clean - we had about 20 people out on a lovely Sunny Deal Sunday.

Wendy is working out how much we collected - (latest: is 32kgs) - but considering the council clears the larger stuff during the tourist months there was still quite lot.

The next Deal Beach Clean will be on Sunday 25th September at 9am

For more information on our beach cleans please contact Wendy at beachclean@dealwithit.org

Visit to North Deal Community Centre...

I have just come back from the opening of the North Deal Community Centre and what an encouraging experience!  A partnership between a community group and a developer have achieved so much, and as green as they could possibly make it as well as thoughtful and imaginative design.  Please go and have a look; they are open to the public this weekend , from 10 until 4pm.  For those who do not know where it is, it is at the top end of Golf road, or go down College Road and then along Cannon street to the end and turn left. Regards  Rosie Rechter Deal With It - Co-ordinator

Deal Town Council vote to support 'Transition Deal'

The Deal Town Council tonight voted to support Deal working towards Transition Town status and assisting where possible and practicable. 

Tonight's vote comes after 'Deal With It''s  coordinator Rosie Rechter did a presentation on the transition movement at its previous meeting. The council will be making a formal statement of its support in the next days.

This is a great step forward in supporting our community becomeing a low carbon one which can navigate its way through climate change and challenges of peak oil.

Victoria's Green Matters 27th July 2011

Deal With IT's Secretary Victoria Nicholls writes a regular column in the East Kent Mercury:

The Transition movement has an inspiring motto – ‘from oil dependence to local resilience’. It focuses on the positive, encouraging communities to come together and work towards a life that is not so dependent on fossil fuels. There are twin dangers in the reliance on a carbon-based lifestyle – peak oil and climate change.

The world will never run out of oil but it has run out of oil that it is cheap and easy to extract hence the ever-increasing price today. Climate change is already happening; this can be seen around the world where populations are reporting more extremes of climate in many regions. The continuing use of our dwindling supplies of oil, coal and gas to produce energy to feed our consumerism has led to the increase in the world’s temperature and to climate change.

Growing food together, either on an allotment or in gardens, is an opportunity to educate people about where food comes from for those whose only knowledge is the supermarket. Rethinking transport and moving away from the car towards walking, cycling and using buses and trains cuts carbon emissions and reduces air pollution. Working towards locally produced energy through community owned generation, whether wind, solar or anaerobic digestion will cut emissions and secure supplies.

Many communities around the world have become Transition Towns, several of them here in Kent. Faversham, Whitstable, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Medway, Canterbury and Hythe have already opted to try to change their way of life; to become more resilient to face the challenges of the future.

We would very much like to add Deal’s name to this list; to make our town a healthier, richer, more inclusive and resilient community and we believe that by working together with local government, existing community groups and committed individuals we can achieve this.

Zero Carbon Transport by Transition Kingston

A sweet video from Transition Town Kingston on their Zero Carbon Day experiment on sustainable transport....


Video link is here: http://youtu.be/2Lmy9wVkDiw

Rippledown Environmental Centre - Stuff for Kids during the Holidays

Our colleagues at Rippledown Environmental Centre have two weeks of fantastic fun wildlife and environmental things to do during July and August

Rippledown Holiday Club 25-29 July & 22-28 August

www.rippledown.com/holidayclub​/

'Gasland' fracking film in Deal 16th August

DealWithIT are showing GASLAND - (2010) Directed by Josh Fox. Winner of Special Jury Prize - Best US Documentary Feature - Sundance 2010. Screening at Cannes 2010....

On the USA's experience of rush to exploit shale gas by fracking....


Dealability 43 Victoria Rd Deal - 7:30pm - Tuesday 16th August

See trailer here

http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/about-the-film/synopsis

Get involved with Nature conservation with Hawkshill Working Party

There's a great opportunity to keep fit and protect the flora and fauna of the
chalk downland that is Hawkshill Freedown, in Walmer.

This priceless amenity is owned by the Walmer Parish Council and in times when 80% of the species rich habitat has disappeared, we have a chance to protect it. The Hawkshill Working party,
coordinated by Clive Grant and Sue and Brian Pitcher (and advised by wildlife
management consultant Martin Newcombe) welcome volunteers with open arms every
1st Sunday and 3rd Monday of the month, 10.30a.m. - 12.30.

All you need to do is turn up at the car park by the T junction of Liverpool Road and Gram'sRoad; tools and protective gloves are provided. You can drop a line to let Walmer council know you're coming if you want to or just turn up. 01304 381506 or clerk@walmercouncil.co.uk .

In July, work carried out by a varied group (aged from 17 to 70!) included trimming back the bushes and brambles that constantly threaten to over run the site, and counting this year's orchids. So, a great way to be a friend to 400 species (including - crows foot garlic, pyramidal orchid, kidney vetch, pallid cockroach, rose chafer, lesser stag beetle, bumble bees, top snail, common lizards, linnets, ergot, slow worms,
spotted flycatchers, tree sparrow, turtledove, roast beef iris and stinking iris) in the open air with stunning views; an unbeatable offer!

Victoria's Green Matters 13th July

Deal With IT's Secretary Victoria Nicholls writes a regular column in the East Kent Mercury:

We may think that there are many threats to our safety in the modern world; there may be terrorist attacks, nuclear meltdown and climatic disasters but much greater threats exist from the unseen enemies that are bacteria and viruses.

There was a disturbing report last week concerning the continuing use of antibiotics by the farming industry in this country. The numbers of livestock have fallen over the last ten years but the use of antibiotics has still risen. Pressures to produce cheap and plentiful food by the supermarkets has led to too many animals being reared in cramped conditions where infections are easily passed around. To reduce these infections, antibiotics are routinely administered. It is widely accepted that this use of antibiotics has led to the growth of antibiotic resistant bacteria, including the recent outbreak of E.coli in Germany. This outbreak has claimed 39 lives and a further 3,300 people still require hospital treatment. The regular use of antibiotics has meant that the bacteria that can infect humans have developed resistance to these drugs. Infections that we look upon as routine, to be easily treated, such as pneumonia and TB, will again become fatal and simple appendix operations will be lethal as they were as recently as 1927.

Factory farming is a threat to our health but the over-prescription of antibiotics by some doctors must also be considered. Patients neglecting to take a full course of treatment also encourage antibiotic resistance.

We can all do something to stop these practices. If we refuse to eat cheap, imported meat and eat meat from sources we know to be free from antibiotics, we can get the message across. Unfortunately, we are up against big business once more but we have campaigned before and won, so we can do it again.

Letter from EAST KENT FRIENDS OF THE EARTH GROUP.

A new report for The Coop warns that the full environmental impact of Shale Gas Drilling needs to be fully assessed before any more projects are approved.

There is growing concern over the contreversial technique used - Fracking where the rock is fractured using chemicals.In The US Texas have become the first state to pass a law requiring companies to disclose which of up to 600 substances they use in fracking. Growing disquiet has forced Texas Governor - Rick Perry to act after companies constantly refused to disclose the information. In New york State contamination of water supplies has lead to aban on all fracking operations until the effect on their water  supplies can be fully addressed.

The UK Government and Local Councils need to act now and stop all further Shale Gas 

Drilling at least until all the wider environmental concerns can be exposed and addressed.

Stuart Cox
Group Coordinator
East Kent FOE

Victoria's Green Matters 6th July 2011

Deal With IT's Secretary Victoria Nicholls writes a regular column in the East Kent Mercury:

It is difficult to imagine living without water at our fingertips. We have always been lucky enough to have water on tap; as much of it as we like to drink, to cook with, to wash in, and even to water the garden.

In large areas of the world people have no water in their homes at all. Usually, it is the women and children who have to walk miles each day to fetch water from a well. This water may not be clean and can cause illness and death from pollutants or disease. These nations are too poor to provide sanitation even when they have sufficient water.

In the Middle East and North Africa, a strange paradox exists. Many millions of people live in cities where there is little available water. Ancient aquifers are almost exhausted and fresh water must be imported from nations where there is a plentiful supply. Desalination is another option but this is an energy hungry process and at a time when oil prices are rising, and supplies dwindling, an expensive one. Food supplies are unsustainable to an ever-increasing world population. The effects of climate change have arrived some 20 years earlier than expected.

The need for water grows faster than the world’s population. China has been affected by appalling droughts, and unable to feed its growing population, has imported food grown in areas where water is plentiful. It has even bought land in wet areas to grow food for importation. Climate change will result in more moisture being evaporated in warmer air but this moisture will most likely fall in already wet areas rather than replenish supplies in dry areas.

In our country we are very lucky but we have a responsibility to treasure every drop of water as it falls, stop leaks as soon as possible and always think before we waste water.