7 September 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Green Councillor Jon Orrell (Melcombe Regis) has been featured in the Dorset Echo, responding to a BBC investigation which suggests Wessex Water may have illegally dumped sewage on dry days. Across the Wessex Water area from the Dorset coast to the Bristol area, the BBC identified 68 sites where sewage may have been illegally discharged last year. Wessex Water disputes much of the data. Jon was quoted in the Echo: “It’s shocking that they’re dropping sewage on dry days, we were led to believe that it may be a problem with storm surge, but it turns out that they are putting it out on dry days as well.
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16 July 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
It’s distressing to hear about pollution in our rivers, the landfill debris affecting our beaches and concerns about harbour dredging. But despite the scale of the problems we’ve got some good progress to report. Green Councillors Belinda Bawden and Rob Smith have been in regular partnership meetings with South West Water, the town council, Dorset Council, Environment Agency and the River Lim Action Group to resolve sewage problems.
15 July 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
At Dorset Full Council on 13 July 2023, Green Councillors Kelvin Clayton (Bridport) and Belinda Bawden (Lyme & Charmouth) proposed a motion committing Dorset Council to working with the Government and water companies to prevent sewage discharges into our rivers and beaches. This motion was passed almost unanimously. Green Group Leader Clare Sutton says: “This situation is a total disgrace. Weymouth’s economy relies on visitors being confident of the quality of our sea water, and within our ward it’s also very important to those who swim at Smallmouth, Sandsfoot, Castle Cove and Newton’s Cove. "Given the vast profits Wessex Water and others have made since privatisation, Government must ensure that it’s the shareholder not the customer who pays."
24 March 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Dorset Council’s Strategic Planning Committee unanimously rejected Powerfuel’s application for a giant waste incinerator at Portland Port on 24th March. Many local people spoke with expertise and eloquence on a range of issues including: (a) Inconsistency with Dorset’s Waste Plan, (b) The blight on our landscape, for both residents and visitors, (c) The potential damage to wildlife, the arts, and as a sailing venue. Objections made by Green Councillors Brian Heatley and Clare Sutton included: (i) Air pollution in general, and the impact of up to 80 extra (huge!) HGVs per day on those walking or cycling to our local schools, shops, doctors etc. (ii) The impact on Dorset’s World Heritage Coast and local heritage assets. (iii) That, given the need to generate less waste rather than burn it, it would become a ‘white elephant’.
7 February 2023 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
The energy crisis is hitting everyone. In Lyme Regis and Charmouth as elsewhere, there are many older properties which can be draughty and difficult to heat. Green Councillor Belinda Bawden organised the recent Home Energy Workshop in Lyme Regis. Saving energy and money goes hand in hand! It was Belinda who set up the Lyme Area Community Energy Champions scheme, where volunteers offer energy-saving tips and home surveys with a thermal camera, which shows up cold and leaky spots.
1 October 2021 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Green Councillor Kelvin Clayton has challenged Dorset Council’s Cabinet member for Planning to make basic home improvements such as double glazing easier for people living in listed buildings, of which there are around 500 in Bridport. Kelvin said, “It’s ridiculous that given the climate crisis we all face it’s so difficult for Bridport owners to get double glazing for their homes. Double glazing barely shows from the outside and the planning department needs to wake up to the reality of the situation.”
Lyme Regis town councillor and Green Party member Belinda Bawden is starting a car club trial in Lyme Regis. Belinda says “If you only use your car occasionally then a car club could save you a lot of money. Or perhaps your household has two cars – in this case joining a car club could let you make do with one.”
15 April 2021 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Green Councillor Kelvin Clayton has voiced disappointment after a motion he is promoting to gather support for the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill was ruled out of order at Dorset Council. Councillor Clayton, who represents Bridport as one of four Greens on Dorset Council, had asked Dorset Council to support the Private Member’s Bill and to write to rural Dorset’s five MPs to ask them to support it too.
3 February 2020 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Dorset Green Party opposes the development of a waste incineration plant on Portland. We oppose the delivery lorries through a residential area, the emission of health-damaging particulates close to a densely populated urban area, and the 30-year demand for residual waste instead of dealing with waste better.
6 February 2019 / 22 December 2024 by chrishenderson
Green Party Councillor Dr Jon Orrell said “It is clear that arresting climate chaos means keeping fossil fuels in the ground. Prospecting for more is madness and shows the folly of this governing party; seeking short term profit for the few and causing long term devastation for the many. They are happy to allow oil exploration, but would not support a windfarm in the same waters.” West & South Dorset Green Party members are in full support of those campaigning against the drilling.
