Next forum meeting- Natural Resources and Waste Development Plan Document

The Natural Resources and Waste Development Plan Document (NRWDPD) which is part of the Leeds Local Development Framework: a collection of documents which guide decisions on planning applications and influences what will be built in Leeds and where (spatial land use planning).

The document covers a wide range of issues of immense importance to the environment and sustainable development in Leeds. Including:

- Natural resource flows and the ecological footprint of the city

- Renewable and non-renewable energy and climate change

- Household and commercial waste, waste treatment technologies and waste-resource management

- Minerals and aggregates (extraction and recycling)

- Contaminated land

- Water resources and flooding issues

- Air quality

The NRWDPD is currently out for public consultation. It is vital we support this document through our consultation responses in order to help Leeds manage natural resources and waste more sustainably. We can help to strengthen and improve the document through our responses to the consultation.

It is suggested you have a quick read through the sections of the document that most interest you prior to attending the meeting. The document can be found on the link below.

http://www.leeds.gov.uk/Business/Planning/Local_development_framework/natural_resources_and_waste_dpd_
%E2%80%93_issues_and_alternative_options_%28ldf%29.aspx

‘Keeping an Eye on Leeds’ Environment Forum
19:00 – 21:00 3^rd June 2008
Leeds Civic Hall

1.0 Welcome and introductions

2.0 Coordinators Update
JH to briefly update on ‘Access to Nature’ funding application.

3.0 Introduction to the Natural Resources and Waste Development Plan Document (NRWDPD)
“It is important that Leeds is able to manage its natural resources in a sustainable manner. The NRWDPD will explain the key issues affecting Leeds’ natural resources. It will provide a policy framework and guidance on themes relevant to the whole of the Leeds City Council area for the future management of existing natural resources.” Text taken from document.

4.0 Group Discussion and Question and Answer Session
We will discuss any aspect of this document which forum members take an interest in, this could include:

- Natural resource flows and the ecological footprint of the city - Renewable and non-renewable energy and climate change - Household and commercial waste, waste treatment technologies and waste resource management - Minerals and aggregates (extraction and recycling) - Contaminated land - Water resources and flooding issues - Air quality

5.0 Responding to the consultation
We will discuss how we will make a formal response to the consultation- either forming a focus group to work up a forum response, or using the minutes of this meeting to form the basis of a forum response or responding to the consultation as individual organisations. The deadline for responses is 5pm on 19/6/08.

6.0 Brief updates from the forums representatives on Aire Action Leeds and the Climate Change Strategy Group.
JH to feedback on Climate Change Strategy. IM, KS, DV, JH, RB to feedback on Aire Action Leeds. Reps: If you have feedback but cannot attend the meeting please forward your written feedback to me by 28^th May.

Next meeting: Tuesday 1^st July 2008. 19:00-21:00 Leeds Civic Hall.
Environment Forum Coordinating Group. Detailed reps feedback and action planning. We will discuss our Terms of Reference, Vision (work programme) and other issues related to the operation of our forum. All welcome.

Aire Action Leeds Update

Communications and publicity working group.
- The waterfront festival will take place on 14th June- more details to follow in late April.
- Maps are needed to promote the heritage and environmantal attractions of the waterways.
- Producing a pack of information of use to people wanting to organise events on the waterways information will include: health and safety advice, advice on riparian ownership etc.
- There is an intention to work towards a waterways and waterfront communications strategy in the long term.

Stewardship working group.
- Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, BTCV and Groundwork Leeds are running corpoate volunteering days encouraging businesses with an interest in the waterways to release staff in work hours to volunteer on river clean ups. Other activities will be planned for community volunteers which might be of interest to your group.
- Long term plans for a stewardship service funded by contributions from businesses is being considered.

Planning and Policy working group.
- Eric Cowan of the Wyke Beck Way Community Forum attendedand gave a very interetsing presentation on the apparent lack of a joined up apporach between the Aire Valley Leeds Area Action Plan and East and South East Leeds Area Action Plan with regards to habitat connectivety and green corrdior connections (for people and wildlife). Eric made a strong case for the need for a Landscape Plan for the Wyke Beck valley to tackle issues with flooding, future development of the land, greenspace, accessibility and other issues- no decision was made to support or resource this Landscape Plan but many agreed it would be useful.
- We worked towards a position on fencing and water safety and were surpised to discover the extent of existing fences and guardrails along the waterfront in the city centre which are relatively unobtrusive.
- A large flood defense scheme is being planned for Leeds City Centre and it will entail major engineering work that could have dramatic effects on the aesthetics of the river and could either imporve or reduce the potential for better wildlife habitats- the proposals will go through Aire Action Leeds.
- Working to identify 'character areas' highlighting there is a lot of difference between the city centre and the more deprived inner city areas that neighbour it and that a strategic apporach to making imporvements will need to reflect this.
- There is a long term aim to develop a common vision for the waterfront.
- Activity is underway to collate all the strategies, policies and action plans relevant to the waterways and to undertake an evidence base mapping process looking at riparian ownership, wildlife hotspots and other information.

Aire Action Leeds- preliminary feedback fro first working group meetings

I attended the first post-launch meeting of the Communications and Publicity working group along with Ian Moore of the Inland Waterways Association.
A waterways festival is being planned for 14^th June (provisional date) and AAL would welcome your input, also working on a pack of advice and guidance for people who want to hold public events on or around the waterways.

I also attended the 1st post-launch meeting of the Planning and Policy working group along with Kevin Sunderland of the Aire and Calder Rivers Group and Ian
Discussed: infrastructure, reviewing and improving the waterfront strategy, flood risk management (as reported on my blog a big flood defence capital investment scheme is planned for Leeds which we will be kept informed of via Aire Action Leeds) and other issues were discussed.

Full feedback from the above meetings will be provided at the Keeping an Eye on Leeds March meeting and will be published in the minutes.

I am unable to attend the first meeting post-launch meeting of the Stewardship Working Group. If you have an interest in encouraging, residents, communities and the local workforce to volunteer to improve the river corridor for people and wildlife then we would welcome you attending on our behalf (please confirm with me first so I can arrange a place for you and induct you into our system of representation).

Kevin and Ian will be focussing their efforts on the Planning and Policy working group as they feel this is where their skills are best utilised. If you would like to represent the sector on any of the working groups please contact jon.holland@leedsvoice.org.uk

Aire Action Leeds

What is Aire Action Leeds?

Aire Action Leeds, is a river management partnership in Leeds working to create better waterways for people and wildlife; now and in the future.

Aire Action Leeds focuses on the River Aire, the Leeds & Liverpool canal and the Aire & Calder Navigation that all run through Leeds.

The partnership involves a number of organisations working together to protect and improve the appearance, wildlife richness and encourage more people to actively use the waterfront whether they live, work or visit the waterways and their waterfront. A network of cleaner, greener and safer waterway will support and encourage more vibrant activity for all users. This will also benefit and enhance the wildlife of the waterways and waterfront; generating a sustainable green linear park. Working together will make the waterfront a more vibrant place for people to enjoy and a better place for wildlife such as ducks, swans, herons, salmon, trout, otters and watervoles.

The Partners Aire Action Leeds is part of the Leeds Initiative. The core partners who support and guide the work of Aire Action Leeds are: British Waterways, Environment Agency, Leeds City Council, Yorkshire Water. The environment forum is represented at Aire Action Leeds by Kevin Sunderland of the Aire and Calder Rivers Group and Ian Moore of the Inland Waterways Association. Kevin is focussed on imporvemnts to benefit wildlife and Ian on imporvemnts to benefit people (although both have a general interest in imporving the Aire for both people and wildife).

The partnership of Aire Action Leeds was previously SORM (State Of the River Management).

Three working groups are being set up to help deliver on Aire Action Leeds' objectives.

1. Communication & Publicity
Market and promote as a recreational and educational resource, promote events, accessibility, heritage, art, wildlife, signage and interpretation. Will work with businesses, users, volunteers along the waterways.

2. Planning & Policy
Influence planning and policy processes to improve the accessibility, character and environmental quality. Driving force for implementing the Leeds Waterfront Strategy. Will work with a number of different stakeholders along the waterways.

3. Stewardship
Operational delivery of improvement projects to improve the Environmental Quality and Appearance. Will work with businesses, users, volunteers along the waterways.

Currently our reps; Kevin sunderland of the Aire and Calder Rivers Group and Ian Moore of the Inland Waterways Association both sit on the planning and policy working group. This works well as Ian is particularly knowledgable about waterways users and their needs and Kevin has specialist knowledgeable about wildlife and it's needs. I am trying to bring voluntary sector people from the other working groups into the environment forum. If you would like to represent the forum on Aire Action Leeds please contact me jon.holland@leedsvoice.org.uk 0113 277 2227.

Loads of money being spent on flood defense in Leeds

(text taken from a Leeds Sustainability Network circular email)

80M river defences are to be built in Leeds to stave off potentially "catastrophic" flooding.

Riverside walls and earth embankments will go up at points most in danger from the River Aire and improved drainage aims to cut the risk of flooding from surface water.

The work will start following an investigation by the Environment Agency (EA) and is expected to be finished by 2010-2011.

Flood defence blueprints are also being drawn up for other "at risk" areas lower down the Aire and on the River Calder.

The plans follow publication of a report from the EA into floods in June and July this year, and in2000.

The agency is working with Leeds City Council and emergency services on the plans which will include protection of electricity and water supplies, and sewage disposal.

Most of the funding is expected to come from the Government but businesses and local councils who stand to benefit will also be asked to contribute.

In addition Leeds City Council has updated its city centre emergency evacuation plan.
The report says 2,000 houses and 1,000 businesses are at most risk in the city.

The agency has identified areas at gravest risk: Leeds city station, The Calls, most of the city centre and parts of Kirkstall valley.

The EA estimates that for every pound spent on defences in Leeds six pounds in damage will be saved.

Construction work on the flood defences is expected to cause considerable disruption in the city.

The full article contains 355 words and appears in the newspaper. Last Updated: 07 December 2007 9:39 AM
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/80m-to-prevent-floods-disaster.3566090.jp

Flooding and Water Management in the Landscape - Sheffield 17-19 March 2008

The Yorkshire & Humber Assembly is supporting a major conference on the theme of ‘Flooding and Water Management in the Landscape’ to be held at Sheffield Hallam University from Monday 17 to Wednesday 19 March 2008. It will cover the lessons of history and landscape change for the future and the impacts of climate and other environmental changes.

The conference will include speakers from the Environment Agency, ADAS, Halcrow, the Assembly, the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management and various academic institutions. In addition there will be a community and conservation management dimension looking at the impacts of flooding and the responses to extreme events.

If you would like further details or are interested in attending, please contact the Conference Team on 0114 272 4227 or email info@hallamec.plus.com

Fish and Biodiversity on the Aire- Comment on plans for Skelton Grange Weir

At our December meeting we were encouraged to learn of the prospects for the Aire to provide a breeding habitat for thousands of salmon and an improved habitat for a wide range of other species.

A key barrier to fish movement are weirs. The weir at Skelton Grange can be removed to improve biodiversity. This was proposed as part of a planning condition attached to an application from Npower for development at their adjacent site.

Npower put in an application to remove the condition enforcing the removal of the weir if planned development went adhead at the adjacent site. Npowers application to remove the condition enforcing the removal of the weir has been refused. That means that npower will have to remove the weir as part of their development.

See the comments section for my response on the apllication.