What a Green administration in Dorset would do
We will press government to allow our planners to be much more positive about renewable energy proposals, requiring solar panels on all suitable roofs and allowing wind farms in the Area Of Natural Beauty unless there are exceptional reasons against. We’ll press to make it easier to make listed buildings sustainable. And we’ll support offshore wind farms.
We’ll do more to prepare for the climate change that is already unfolding, and will protect and improve our natural environment and wildlife.
What Dorset Greens have done
Following Green pressure, climate change is a Corporate Plan priority for Dorset Council, has a £10m budget and a Corporate Director.
Persistent pressure has led to the two further pillars of climate adaptation and ecology being added and similarly embedded in the work of the whole Council.
We have consistently pressed for more ambitious climate change targets for Dorset.
A Green councillor’s participation in planning committees has helped secure, with the help of our allies on those committees, the acceptance of a number of large, controversial solar energy schemes.
Our participation on planning committees, continually asking why developers had not incorporated green features in proposals, led to the Council proposing a checklist all applicants are now asked to consider including in their applications
Pressed for a more creative approach to environmental improvements in listed buildings.
Played a prominent role in persuading the Council not to accept plans to build a waste incinerator on Portland. (Unfortunately, a decision now overturned on appeal, which we continue to fight.)
Promoted a successful Full Council motion on separating sewage and surface water drainage systems
Persuaded Dorset Council to agree to reopen a path along a half-kilometre stretch of the coast in Weymouth previously blocked by landslips.
Website news archive: Climate & Ecology topics
- Cross-party group including Green councillors writes to Portland Port about incinerator
Councillors including Greens Clare Sutton and Claudia Webb have co-signed a letter by South Dorset MP Lloyd Hatton to the CEO of Portland Port, calling for the controversial incinerator at the port site to be abandoned. The letter asks the Port to abandon “these harmful proposals” for “an outdated form of technology”. They call for a “nationwide moratorium”, banning any new waste incinerators. They also ask for a meeting about the issue with Port officials. The letter continues: “It has become clear that there is no business case, no community case, and no environmental case for a waste incinerator on Portland.” - Cllrs Clare Sutton and Jon Orrell address hundreds at Stop Portland Waste Incinerator protest
Green Councillors Clare Sutton (Rodwell & Wyke) and Jon Orrell (Melcombe Regis, and Mayor of Weymouth) were among the speakers at a Stop Portland Waste Incinerator protest in Weymouth on Saturday 16 November, attended by hundreds of concerned local citizens. The protest against the new Labour Government’s decision to green-light the scheme was the lead item on Saturday night’s BBC Spotlight. - Clare Sutton and Dorset Greens continue to fight against Portland incinerator after Government green lightLike many others, Dorset Greens have opposed the proposed new incinerator on Portland from the outset, and are diismayed that the Government gave it the green light in September. Councillor Clare Sutton has made a further submission to the Environment Agency and is liaising with Dorset Council, the new South Dorset MP, and other parties about possible next steps, which may include High Court review.
- Clearance work to recommence towards opening Weymouth’s Underbarn
Green Councillor Clare Sutton (Rodwell & Wyke) secured Dorset Council’s commitment in 2021 to reinstating the Underbarn – a scenic path in Weymouth from Bincleaves Green to Castle Cove Beach. The Underbarn has been closed since 2001 owing to safety concerns after landslips. It has since fallen into an overgrown state of disrepair. Much of the Underbarn was cut through after the initial reopening agreement. Unfortunately progress then stalled for various reasons. However, landowners were informed last month that works would recommence and this has now started. - Kelvin Clayton worked to fix listed building issue in Bridport
Bridport has approximately 500 listed buildings, most of which are ordinary residential houses, and many are small and at the cheaper end of the housing market. However, a constant issue raised by the residents of these houses is the difficulty in getting planning permission to install solar panels (even of rear elevations that can’t be seen from the road) and fit wooden double glazing. One solution being pursued by Green Party Councillor Kelvin Clayton is for Dorset Council to pass a Listed Building Consent Order, an order that allows people to install solar panels and double glazing on/in listed building without planning permission provided certain criteria are met. - Portland Waste Incinerator hangs in the balance, as Green councillors among speakers at Public Inquiry
Powerfuel appealed against Dorset Council’s decision to refuse permission for a new waste incinerator on Portland. The Public Inquiry was held 5-21 December. The large attendance over the two weeks reflected the pretty much unanimous rejection of the Incinerator by local people. Dorset Green Councillors Brian Heatley and Clare Sutton were among over 50 people who spoke at the Public Evidence day, all against the plant. Clare focussed on the impact of 80 (huge!) HGV journeys through Wyke every day, and on the potential harm to our tourist industry and local economy. - Open-air swimmer Val Graves: Stop dumping sewage in our sea!
Rodwell & Wyke Greens Coordinator Val Graves writes: “Like many local people I swim in the sea throughout the year. As you may know, our sewerage network is a ‘combined system’, where both sewage and surface water flow into the same pipes. When that system becomes overloaded, for example when it rains heavily, water companies are allowed to discharge human sewage into the sea, at places like Sandsfoot and Castle Cove. - Cllr Belinda Bawden works on recycling/waste separation with Lyme & Charmouth businesses, Dorset Council
Getting more recycling and waste separation is vital with new regulations coming in. Green Councillor Belinda Bawden has been working with local businesses in Lyme Regis and Charmouth, and Dorset Council’s commercial waste management team, to work out the best ways to resolve some immediate issues, and to look at longer term solutions to reduce food waste. - Agreement to invest in wildlife-friendly planting by Green-chaired Lyme Regis Town Council committee
The Environment Committee of Lyme Regis Town Council, chaired by Green councillor Rob Smith, has agreed to invest in more wildlife-friendly planting. Wildflowers in Langmoor and Lister Gardens have proved popular with residents and visitors – and with invertebrates of course. Now the planting will be expanded to create mini ecosystems around the town which will benefit wildlife from tiny bugs to butterflies, birds and bats. - North Quay demolition and redevelopment going ahead – despite concerns over carbon footprint, environmental standards
Dorset Council’s area planning committee voted earlier this year to approve plans to demolish the former Weymouth & Portland Borough Council offices on North Quay. Green Councillor Brian Heatley (Rodwell & Wyke) argued for renovation over demolition, because we need to save the carbon emissions now rather than over a 50 year period, and because there is no guarantee that Dorset Council will find a developer willing to deliver to a high environmental standard. - Cllr Jon Orrell: Indications of illegal Wessex Water sewage discharges “shocking”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.
- Cllr Belinda Bawden working hard on local sewage overspill
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. - Green motion adopted committing Dorset Council to work to prevent beach and river sewage discharge
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.” - Portland Incinerator: Power to the people… but not from waste!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’.
- Cllr Belinda Bawden organises Home Energy Workshop in Lyme Regis
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. - Insulate Bridport! It should be much easier, says Cllr Kelvin Clayton
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.” - Town Councillor Belinda Bawden wants car club trial for Lyme
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.” - Discussion stifled at County Hall on Climate & Ecological Emergency Bill
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. - Dorset Greens oppose planned incinerator on Portland
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. - Jon Orrell: Jurassic Coast drilling shows Government energy policy is leading us towards climate chaos
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. - Green councillor succeeds in helium balloon and sky lantern ban, to protect marine wildlife
The Green Party’s councillor for Weymouth West, Claudia Moore, has succeeded in getting the backing of Weymouth & Portland Borough Council (WPBC) to protect wildlife. Her motion at the full council meeting in June asked that WPBC ban the release of helium balloons and sky lanterns from any land or premises in the ownership of the council. - New talks to be held on pollution in Boot Hill, Weymouth
Campaigners are to hold fresh talks with council officials in an effort to tackle traffic congestion and pollution on Boot Hill. At a public meeting before Christmas [pictured] residents in Weymouth’s most polluted street called on officials to do more to protect their health. Now campaigners will be sitting down with Highways and Public Health officials to ask what progress is being made. Green campaigner Jon Orrell, a local GP, said: “One of the big concerns raised by residents is that they’ve not been getting accurate readings over the quality of the air they breathe. They are right to be worried. - Exchange of green ideas at Weymouth station
Yesterday saw a positive exchange of ideas between local Green Party members and the South Western Franchise Consultation representatives at Weymouth Station. There was clear recognition by all that recent increase in rail use was a positive step towards reducing air polluting emission from car journeys. However, questions over the way our railways are best operated and for whose benefit were raised. Dr Jon Orrell, Green Party member and rail user expressed a number of concerns over the current rail service.