Recently though, a rather unusual source of hunting by one of our cats has become apparent –I had seen our white cat patrolling our long-grassed conservation field, and then realised she was spending time near the many molehills, and once digging at one, like a dog. Then, a dead mole appears on our doorstep. So, we seem to have a mole-killing cat.

Moles are a problem to farmers, their molehills reduce grazing, but more importantly can mean soil with unfriendly bacteria in hay and silage, leading to infection in cattle. So if our cat has found a ‘natural’ way of controlling the mole population, which often seems to increase wildly, I accept it as good thing for the farm as a whole.

Have you seen this consultation currently out by the Welsh Government (WG)? (WAG is no more, we must learn to call them indoors in the Cardiff Senedd a Government). Do seek it out and give your views – it has not exactly been advertised widely, and it is obviously aimed mainly at those in the planners club. It is at:   http://wales.gov.uk/topics/planning/planningresearch/planningreview/callforevidence  

YOU HAVE ONLY A FEW DAYS TO ADD YOUR COMMENTS

Anything pertaining to planning attracts me like a magnet, because the longer I work with CPRW to protect our outstanding Welsh uplands and green areas, the more I see a system that is increasingly dysfunctional and community-unfriendly. Don’t get me wrong, I think our planning constraints, largely seen as necessary and codified first in the 1930’s and the 1947 Act, have been a huge benefit compared with other non-third world countries that have not conserved their countryside – Ireland and Portugal for a start, where’s the countryside? – but I fear the original intention is being lost, or worse, perverted by land speculators.  

What problems do I see in the current system? What do I think needs changing?

• Growth – get away from the assumption of perpetual growth, exhibited in planning guidance by constant reference to ‘delivery’ of a ‘continuous supply’ of land. Let’s get real, it is not yet possible to manufacture and deliver land, like pizzas.
• Sustainability – is a popular concept, promoted as a basic ethic by WG – but planners and politicians don’t understand what it means. Spell it out in planning terms – including that recycling brownfield land should be the norm, building on green fields should be a rarity when all other solutions for an absolutely essential development have failed.
• Community agreement – (there’s a radical idea!) – make it a statutory requirement to prove that, say, 80% of the local population has seen and understands the implications of strategies such as LDPs. LAs should be required to provide an independent source of information and awareness-raising for local people, including doorstepping all residents, pointing out strategic and local proposals, recording that residents have understood the implications, etc. Then community groups should then be funded to campaign against proposals they object to – thus levelling up the completely tilted playing field we have at present.        

You see, I agree with a website I have just picked up on whilst researching for this post that the planning of an area should be carried out communally so that:

‘there will be more chance of being able to create and maintain built environments that satisfy both individual and community needs’

This site is http://www.communityplanning.net  I didn’t find it an easy site, it has an enormous content of other resources, and advice on campaigning, but not for instance on options for establishing a community planning group (or perhaps I haven’t found it yet). But it was rewarding to find a movement with the same views that I have reached. 

There are certainly many other relevant sources of information and radical thought about how we can live together (in planning terms, I mean!) that I haven’t found yet – I don’t pretend to be an expert. But I am aware of the UK Localism Act, neighbourhood planning, the triple bottom line (on sustainability). Get involved – one option is of course to join CPRW – check out  http://www.cprw.org.uk/

CPRW Newport & Valleys Branch has had a very busy, and often successful 2011: -

• We opposed the ‘Energy From Waste’ plant proposed near Merthyr – The proposal was withdrawn
• We assisted with objections to the greenfield development of 1200 houses at South Sebastopol (Cwmbran) – The Council voted it down
• We have submitted a lengthy response on the Torfaen Deposit Local Development Plan – We await the result
• We proposed and (mostly) organised a Landscape Art Exhibition in Newport – For a first attempt it was pretty good – we plan to repeat it in 2012
• We have been involved in the M4 ‘Corridor Enhancement Measures’ consultation – Continuing – wider public consultation in early 2012
• We have submitted an objection to the proposed new Gipsy Site in countryside near Bettws (Newport – Awaiting decision

We’ve got a lot to do next year to keep CPRW going and fight off threats to our countryside in the name of conservation and sustainability – come and help us. Check out the CPRW website to get in touch with your local Branch. Or text a small donation: – Text to 70070 – add ‘CPRW28 £5′ (or whatever you wish to donate)

We are also selling our meat at Undy Farmers Market for the second time next Saturday (22/10), having had a very friendly welcome on the first occasion. Call the above number for more information.

Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales is fairly obviously interested in all things that relate to landscape, so I caught up with what is happening with FLP at a recent update meeting, a year into the three year project. As the spouse (and business partner, and mucker-out of pigs) of a local farmer and commoner within the FLP area, I also had other interests. The update comprised a very useful series of short presentations by the five FLP staff.

Planning Officer (main man) Steve Rogers introduced the update session by going briefly over the history of the area. The post-ice age wild wooded valleys and natural uplands have been transformed by human activities several times, initially by limited clearance for farming, then with the discovery of iron ore, with more use of timber (charcoal) for furnaces. This led to the seismic change of the Industrial Revolution, of which Blaenavon was a crucible, when all the various natural resources were found in quantity in the Welsh Valleys – iron ore, limestone, coal, water, timber. With no concerns about pollution or health and safety, quarries, mines, furnaces, ironworks proliferated, and large-scale immigration demanded basic housing. So today there is a ‘rich mosaic of geological features, industrial relics and nationally important wildlife habitats’ as the FLP website describes it. And much of the area is still a working agricultural landscape.

FLP’s aims are mainly two-fold: -

• Conservation – wildlife, traditional farming, industrial heritage
• Access and interpretation for visitors.

Both of these aims include engaging with local people and encouraging volunteer activities, and safeguarding the ‘treasures’.

The other FLP officers then told us of their specialist work: -

The Commons Officer is working with several commoners Associations and many farmers to restore and enhance the commons – grazing has reduced considerably in recent years, so that bracken and scrub has extended, affecting wildlife and access. Grouse are now rare, for example. Bracken clearance and heather management has started, together with boundary improvement work (drystone walls etc), more livestock is encouraged, machinery is being made available. Reed beds are being established.

The Education & Interpretation Officer told us of her work with schools, engaging local communities and catering for visitors, organizing events and roadshows about FLP. This will shortly even include Smartphone apps for information – how modern is that?  

Landscape Crime Officer (there’s a title you don’t see every day) explained his impressively busy and successful working life, dealing mainly with

• Flytipping
• Vehicles driven illegally on commons
• Arson – fires destroying heather and wildlife
• Theft of metal as scrap – often heritage artifacts
• Wildlife crime – contravening Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 protection of plants, birds, animals etc

Many illegal activities have been addressed in less than a year, and incidents reported have reduced. He mentioned the value of information gathered via FarmWatch, OWL, twitter.

The Volunteer Organiser reported substantial activity in this area, with volunteer groups and training increasing, many tasks tackled, working towards sustainability of the FLP initiative when the project ends in two years. 

Steve concluded by publicising the establishment of a Consultative Group, and asked for interested local organisations to be represented.

 A Q&A session followed, and some concerns were voiced by various attendees. The main points I noted and answers given were: -

Lack of information and FLP communication with local interest groups

          The Consultative Group will address this

Ban on grouse shooting – could be the end of shoots and conservation of local moorlands

          Discussions ongoing, but it depends on the recovery of grouse numbers

More visitor information, press & TV coverage

          Discussions taking place with WHS on more joint provision

Insufficient assistance for Commoners

          Liaison ongoing, assistance with bracken clearance & drystone walls, more coming. Increase in grazing     needed

Landowners involved?

          Yes, most supportive, but the largest landowner not interested

………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………

I believe FLP is a unique project, and beneficially seeks to identify and conserve important aspects of landscape. I’m not sure how much influence it has on local planning strategy and/or development control, which of course can greatly affect landscape, but to my mind similar considerations of landscape conservation should apply to all our countryside. I hope FLP is successful in establishing a permanent source of conservation and management in its area, and is widely copied.

One further point, having been involved in a recent Blorenge Commoners Association meeting where we decided not to participate in a Welsh Government Commons agri-environment scheme which promises funding in return for a reduction of Commons-grazed livestock, and other requirements (the meeting was against participation because the conditions attached were ridiculous), it is strange to hear FLP asking for increased grazing, to help maintain wildlife-friendly habitats

Whatever the reason, the draft Torfaen Biodiversity Action Plan is at first glance an exciting and innovative new way of bringing biodiversity in from the cold, to be a main consideration in planning strategy, rather than a minor issue which needs only lip service to sideline and ignore. At the same time, one can sense that there may be dangers in establishing formal Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) in this area, if that is the aim. We may gain protection for some valuable green areas, but at the expense of defining other green areas as developable – or so it will be claimed by speculators. At the time of the first South Sebastopol, the planner stated at the Council meeting that Countryside Council for Wales had not objected, so the planning application should be approved; ignoring the fact that CCW’s brief was limited to commenting on statutorily protected areas only (National Parks, AONBs etc) - or so the CCW Chairman told me. (The brief seems to have widened since then).

The gist of this new strategy for biodiversity is: -

1. The need for this was identified from review of the Torfaen Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) and conflict within the Local Development Plan (LDP) - I assume the LBAP was being pretty well ignored in the LDP process. The failure of WAG to hit its target to halt biodiversity decline by 2010 must have been due in part to the failure of local authorities to take it seriously.

2. But give someone in Torfaen their due, a consultant was instructed to do something about it, and here is the first step. The ‘Early Draft’ says that it is designed towards  ’mainstreaming biodiversity’ and ‘encouraging public engagement’. Also that ‘ … the value of ecosystem services has been undervalued …’   Most environmentalists would applaud the latter statement. We shall see if it suceeds – but in Torfaen there is hope, in the wake of this current Council’s conversion to enlightenment at South Sebastopol  

3. The points I took away from a recent meeting on the draft strategy were: -

a) Six ecosystem types considered; b) a database (GIS) of all green areas in Torfaen based on this classification to be produced; c) a framework to be established for each (presumably for conservation / enhancement); d) prioritising these areas into 4 ‘Tiers of Value’, defined as Tier 1 – protect, Tier 2 – trade, Tier 3 – ignore, Tier 4 – Enhance;          e)  then applying all this to potential development.

Tier 1 is the gold standard - if it works well, no Tier 1 classified land will be developed. The contentious element is of course the ‘trade’ proposal. Development of Tier 2 areas would be possible if the developer proposed a sufficiently attractive swop – enhancing another area to an equivalent value. I can see a number of concerns and foggy areas in this, for a start will Tier 1 turn out to be a minimum, Tier 3 most of the green areas? (What Tier would South Sebastopol achieve?) Who decides the classification, professionals only, or will there be a public consultation element? Can changes to area classification be accommodated? Amenity (lawn) grassland (Tier 3) is described as ecologically useless – that could be challenged. There are others, but that’s enough for now.

But perhaps I am too churlish – this is an exciting attempt at a really new way of valuing green spaces, and thereby combating unsustainable and irresponsible speculative development. We must hope it is successful, and leads to a transformation away from a planning process that regards green spaces as easy and natural growth of the built environment.  Local readers – GET INVOLVED! Contact TCBC and ask questions about your local green area.

The Barnabas Arts House is more than just a gallery, it also houses studios for artists and crafts, runs courses and art-related activities, and much more – a real community arts centre. So impressive.

IF YOU HAVEN’T VISITED YET, YOU HAVE AN EXTRA WEEK, UP TO AND INCLUDING FRI  7th OCT

The Barnabas Arts House is in New Ruperra St, Pillgwentlly, Newport NP20 2BB (near George St Bridge and the new large ASDA) For more information or directions, call the Barnabas Arts House on 01633-673739 / 264581

* Sparkle Appeal – a new treatment centre in Risca for children with multiple disabilities             * ABF The Soldier’s Charity - aiding soldiers who are injured or otherwise in need                         * St Cadoc’s Church, Trevethin – a lively centre of the local community 

Although they are both fit and have been active sportsmen all their lives, Kevin and Ian are not professional cyclists, and no spring chickens, but as I write this, they have traversed the length of Scotland in just 3 days, mainly in rain and headwinds. Have you been to Scotland? It is BIG! And up and down a lot! I am very impressed - researching the ride for them initially, I thought Scotland alone would take 4/5 days with a following wind. And I hear that at John O’Groats they met other mad guys who had cycled from Lands End, and who said (a) it took them 3 weeks, and (b) north to south is doing it the hard way because of the prevailing wind direction.

So please reward their tremendous efforts, help them to help the three charities, visit  www.sccride.org.uk and www.woodlandsfield.com or tel 01495 742681 (Communities First) to make a donation.

THE LIVING LANDSCAPE  -   How to Read and Understand It

Patrick Whitefield    Permanent Publications

Five or six times a year I take a train trip from Cwmbran to Shrewsbury and on to  Welshpool, and I look forward to the journey on this Welsh border line, travelling through the delightful and varying scenery of the Welsh Marches, more often than not with the hills of Wales or Shropshire to the west and lowland to the east. I occasionally write notes of what I see, the differing farms, livestock, trees, field boundaries and trackside herbage, and of course buildings. Often I am surprised at the changes I note, and wonder what I am missing that would explain them. I play at armchair landscape assessment, in a very superficial and defective manner. I guess I am not the only person who plays this game.

So when I saw this new book, I jumped at the chance to understand more about the reasons for the nature of the landscape and countryside I see. And I was not disappointed; Patrick Whitefield’s substantial book is accessible and absorbing, very readable and informative. I now know much more about ‘reading the landscape’, and wherever I travel I shall be looking for changes and reasons, and probably boring my wife with a commentary!

His book is set out very logically, with chapters explaining how geology, soil, height and situation, climate and micro-climate, indigenous animals and livestock, agriculture and other factors all contribute to the formation and evolution of our landscape

Some of the tips, such as the glacial origins of U-shaped valleys, we probably learned at school, and gardeners and wildlife fans will know that some plants are indicative of acid or alkali soils, but how about why molehills tell you the soil is not acid, why jays are responsible for our widespread British Oak, or why medieval fields often have curved boundaries? (Think oxen!). What common wild flower is known as the ‘Poor Man’s Weatherglass’?

Whitefield pulls it all together, and has produced a tour de force on the subject, due to become a standard work. He not only writes easily and informatively, but at times lyrically. One chapter starts: -

“In the drama of the landscape there’s no distinction between actors and scenery. Everything, from rocks to humans, is both part of the scenery and an actor in it”

The only part I found in the least difficult was his long treatise on woodlands and trees. He obviously loves this aspect, and for me it was a little too much. But a minor problem in a wonderful book. For all countryside lovers, this book is exciting and at times entrancing, as one remembers childhood meadows and recognises medieval remnants still here today. My railway trips, and in fact many occasions in familiar and unfamiliar countryside, have been greatly enhanced.

And while I’m advertising our wares, we were at Usk Farmers Market again today, selling mainly beef, and we have some over. The beef is from our indigenous Welsh Black cattle, which are extensively grazed on our grass and silage, and the herb-rich Blorenge Common, all their lives. They are never fed concentrates, never housed indoors, have as good lives as any cattle while they are with us, some for many years. They grow more slowly than continental breeds, and so, we say, the beef (hung and prepared properly) tastes top class. Email Barbara if you want to try a joint, steak or mince.