The Churnet Valley Protection Fund - AONB Campaign

Are you ENTHUSIASTIC, FULL OF ENERGY and PASSIONATE about The Churnet Valley ?

If YES, then we need YOU!

The Churnet Valley is at a critical moment in history; the fine balance of nature and unique environment that the Valley offers is under threat.  We are currently raising funds to ensure The Churnet Valley obtains AONB status. This is an important milestone which will enable a protected status to preserve the beauty and unique environment that the Churnet Valley offers. We have been working towards AONB status for almost 20 years and we are now at a deciding moment in history. Aside from our efforts, we are faced with a number of currently very real threats, namely the prospect of a decade of toxic dumping and landfill is now on the horizon. 

Aside from pushing for AONB status our campaign objectives are to also raise awareness and funds to fight the destruction of the valley.

The Churnet Valley is at a critical moment in history; the fine balance of nature, unique environment and ecology that the Valley offers is under threat like never before.  Among a number of currently very real threats is the prospect of a decade of toxic dumping and landfill at a number of locations already in the hands of council planners. Yet this is just the tip of the iceberg:

- Development of the former Bolton Copperworks in Froghall is known to be progressing.
- Whiston Hall Golf Course re-profiling - landfill.
- Moneystone Quarry Phase 2 – more landfill in Quarry 2 and potential further phases.
- Protection of government designated SSSI’s (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) now threatened by construction sites.
- Protection of Ancient Woodland Areas similarly threatened by construction sites.
- Continuing to build the necessary partnerships required to gain AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).
- Consulting and campaigning regarding Air Quality and the Environment.
- Retaining consultants in highways and the environment as well as legal advice for these and future issues.
- Providing advice to and co-operation with other groups in Staffordshire and beyond who face similar challenges.
- Challenging the ongoing SMDC Local Plan currently with the Planning Inspectorate.
- Campaigning to have a ‘Quiet Lanes’ policy in Staffordshire.
- Supporting Wildlife Corridors.
- And more…….
 
We need to do more as the threats mount and need your support to help us protect the Churnet Valley and surrounding areas from further destruction. Experts don’t come cheap and so as part of The Churnet Valley Protection Fund growth we are inviting you to help us by getting involved, donating and submitting your ideas to further develop our Churnet Valley Protection Strategy to keep the Churnet Valley the pleasant place it is, not just for now but for the future too.

We are looking for people of all ages and backgrounds to get involved, so whilst you're here please;

We are looking for people from all ages and backgrounds to get involved, so whilst you're here please;

1. Donate
2. Drop us an email about how you can help and what ideas you have.
3. Share this link with 20 of your contacts today: The Churnet Valley Protection Fund Go Fund Me Link (you will genuinely be surprised the difference it will make!)

At a time of local, national and international health crisis the environmental protection work of CVCS & WAG is increasingly important. Click here to view our post on the Churnet Valley Protection Fund to find out more and follow us on Twitter and WAG Facebook / CVCS Facebook. 

We also have further plans to ensure protection is achieved and these will be circulated in the coming weeks as updates, so keep checking back!

Background:
For more than 15 years WAG and CVCS have been active in working to protect the beautiful Churnet Valley. Both groups are still going strong but would be able to do more with a little help from you.

The two groups with their hard-working residents have;

1.    Between 2008 and 2014 fought for the Churnet Valley to be granted Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB) status. In 2014, by preparing detailed research material and lobbying at a local, district and national level both groups actively participated in persuading the SMDC General Assembly to adopt the policy of seeking ANOB status and incorporating that policy in the SMDC Core Strategy. When the National Government appointed the Graham Committee to investigate the need for more areas being designated as AONB as part of its attempts to meet its international commitments to reverse the effects of climate change, CVCS & WAG made submissions to have the Churnet Valley granted that status. Both groups have now been advised that the Churnet Valley is in the last three areas being considered for AONB. The general election and the current Cornovirus crisis risks the work of the Graham Committee being side lined. Both groups need your help to achieve AONB status to help protect the Churnet Valley.

2.    Contributed detailed factual research to help shape the Churnet Valley Master Plan, and the Independent Inspectors public hearing to shape and approve the SMDC Core Strategy adopted in 2014. As part of the inspection process WAG were invited by the Inspector to help write Core Strategy Policy SS7 tourism policy a mark of the respect the Inspector had for the work of WAG.

3.    Are currently parties to the ongoing Independent Inspection of the SMDC Local Plan and helped bring about a requirement that SMDC made 60+ major changes to the Local Plan. The hearing is still on going.

4.    Instigated research and gathered support from Churnet Valley residents to urge the Staffordshire County Council (SCC)to adopt a ‘Quiet Lanes traffic policy’. Many of the access roads into the Churnet valley are narrow and winding and unsuitable for substantial number of cars. The Quiet Lanes policy is to encourage responsible driving and use of the lanes so that they can be safely used by cyclists and walkers. Unhappily SCC has not yet been persuaded to spend the modest sum involved in adopting the policy in the Churnet Valley because of Government austerity cutbacks. WAG & CVCS continue to press for the adoption of the Quiet Lanes Policy. You could help by urging SCC to adopt the policy

5.    Produced detailed traffic census evidence and photographs showing the growing pressure of traffic adversely affecting the area of the Roaches and Tittersworth whilst advocating access to cyclists and walkers.

6.    Supported the protection of verges to act as wildlife corridors for endangered flora and fauna along the lanes of the Churnet Valley.

7.    Repeatedly helped surrounding communities to help structure representations designed to help them achieve healthy levels of air quality and reduce toxic emissions. The recent appointment of an SMDC group aimed at reducing toxic emissions in a number of ‘hotspots‘ is welcome and timely. Both CVCS & WAG will continue to use its talents and resources to further this new initiative.

So, will you help in the work of both groups to press for AONB status, the monitoring of and proper implementation of the SMDC Core Strategy Policies?

At a time of local, national and international health crisis the environmental protection work of CVCS & WAG is increasingly important.