Havant FOE Newsletter - July 2021

Havant Green Week 18th – 26th September

We’ve had lots of positive responses about the Green Week and we’re sure there will be lots going on. But we really need Havant FOE supporters to encourage people to get involved. Activities in schools, church services, guided walks will all help to get across the message that the people of Havant care about the environment and want the politicians to do more, especially at the vital COP 26 Climate talks in November.

We’ve shared Neil Layton’s book on climate change with all the primary schools, thanks to Hayling Bookshop, and children are invited to design posters for the week There’s still time!

Find out more about the week and the competition on the Havant Climate Alliance website https://havantclimatealliance.wordpress.com/

Havant Thicket Reservoir

Following Outline Planning Approval by East Hants District Council as well as Havant, the Reservoir is going ahead although more of the details still need to be approved, such as positioning of access roads, walking and cycle paths, location and build of the visitor centre and of course tree planting and mitigating the emissions for the project.

We plan to get involved with the Stakeholders’ Advisory Group and the Community Advisory Group for this so if others would like to be involved, maybe on a specific topic like trees or cycle routes do contact Pat Brooks: [email protected]

Friends of the Ems (FOTE) , who are part of Greening Westbourne, held a very informative zoom session on 18^th June about the loss of water and water quality from the river. If you missed it you can find all that information on the link below:

https://e-voice.org.uk/greening-westbourne/friends-of-the-ems-fote/our-evidence-for-how-the-ems-h/

There are very few chalk streams worldwide with the majority being in England. They are home to rare and endangered species. While the Itchen and the Test have protection the Ems does not.

It is Portsmouth Water and not Southern Water who are abstracting water from the Ems aquifers and apparently the reservoir will not help as Portsmouth Water are contracted to let Southern Water have all the excess.

While FOTE are still talking to Portsmouth Water and other agencies, they are now hoping to involve the Chichester MP Gillian Keegan.

The Government Planning Inspectorate will be carrying out an online examination of Havant’s Local Plan (for development to 2037) all week from 12^th to 16^th July. Representative’s from various local groups will have the opportunity to have their say.

If you are interested in watching any of the proceedings, please contact Pat Brooks: [email protected]

Friends of the Earth’s Action network has a new Near You tool which lets you discover key climate statistics for your area simply by entering your postcode.

On 22^nd July (6:30pm – 7:45pm) there’s a webinar explaining it all You can register here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/near-you-data-tool-is-your-area-doing-enough-to-take-climate-action-registration-160754706655

Havant Climate Alliance Meetings

Meetings are via Zoom on the first and third Wednesdays and the next one will be on July 7^th from 7pm. Contact [email protected] if you’d like the details

you can find out more on the website at https://havantclimatealliance.wordpress.com/ or follow on Facebook or Twitter: @HavClimate

Let’s Cut the Clutter

Living Streets is asking everyone to help map the scale of the problem, contact local councils and demand action to protect our pavements.