Latest news with #PaulSample
BBC News
24-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Wiltshire Council rejects motion to end carbon neutral aims
A motion to change carbon reduction targets has been rejected by a council, as progress to reduce emissions Tuesday, Wiltshire Council rejected a motion that called for the authority not to be "constrained by unachievable county-wide 2030 carbon reduction targets".In February 2019, the council passed a motion acknowledging a climate emergency and to seek to make the county carbon neutral by 2030. This latest decision suggests the council still has faith in its existing strategy, and remains confident that its current trajectory will meet the set climate goals. 'Demanding' target The new motion sought to replace the 2019 vote, but it was rejected by 45 votes to 23, with 19 proposal stated: "This council should not be constrained by a motion demanding unachievable county-wide 2030 carbon reduction targets as set out in the 'climate emergency motion', and so repudiates it." Cllr Paul Sample, cabinet member for environment, climate and waste, said he was "delighted" the motion had not succeeded."Our programme of climate action has made demonstrable financial savings since its introduction, so it is disappointing that this motion was brought forward," he said."We are on track to become carbon neutral as an organisation by 2030, and our 2025 Climate Delivery Plan is already delivering significant climate-related benefits, while also saving money for Wiltshire taxpayers."The climate emergency affects us all and that is why it is essential that we do all we can to continue to reduce carbon emissions throughout Wiltshire."The council's existing strategies include investing in energy-efficient LED lighting for streetlights, improving energy efficiency in council buildings, and using "cleaned carbon dioxide" from landfills to grow food.
BBC News
20-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Wiltshire's climate summit boycotted by eco company amid planning row
A green recycling firm has declared it is boycotting a climate summit in protest to a council's delay in assessing plans for a "first of a kind" eco-friendly landfill Wiltshire, based near Royal Wootton Bassett, will not attend Wiltshire Council's Climate and Environment Summit on Friday and Saturday, where leaders will consider approaches to lessen the county's environmental firm slammed delays in the council granting permission for a new site which will harvest fumes from landfill to generate Paul Sample, cabinet member for environment, climate and waste, said he was "disappointed" by the decision, adding the process is "completely separate". The company's bosses said their proposed Super-Midden production centre will remove "3,800 tonnes of carbon emissions per year", while "generating sufficient heat and energy to produce affordable fruit and vegetables" for a number of north Wiltshire Ash, director of Sustain Wiltshire, said that they had made the decision not to participate in the summit due to the lack of certainty over their project."From our public consultations in 2023 through to last week, we had not received a single voice of opposition to the Super-Midden", he added. "Now, at five minutes to midnight, we are faced with further questions and a formal objection from the National Highways."We continue to encourage Wiltshire Council's planning officers to fast-track their planning decision. Should this fail, we will have no choice but to appeal to the Planning Directorate." In response, councillor Sample said that it was "inappropriate to comment on an ongoing planning application" and that "the council remains keen to work positively with Sustain Wiltshire to resolve the outstanding issues"."It is a shame that they do not wish to engage in the event, which will celebrate businesses working towards carbon neutrality and share best practice and approaches to accelerate their progress towards net zero," he added.
BBC News
09-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
The 150 page document that aims to help protect Stonehenge
The Stonehenge World Heritage Site is big - so big, it is actually split in two, with much of it around have lived and worked in the area long before they were ever declared a World Heritage Site - so when someone needs to build something, how do you make sure it will not negatively affect the much loved sites?That is where a new draft document of more than 150 A4 pages comes in. Officially labelled a "supplementary planning document", Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for environment, Paul Sample JP, called it an "important draft document that will help protect an historic and vital part of our heritage". It would act as guidance to people wanting to undertake any development - whether a small garden extension or a solar farm - and those making the final as it is only a draft at the moment, Wiltshire Council has it open for consultation and wants to hear from the public. Mr Sample JP said: "At Stonehenge and Avebury we have inherited one of the most important landscapes in the world. "It's essential that there is clear guidance so that any planning decisions affecting the World Heritage Site do not impact it adversely."It explains what needs to be taken into account and shows if there are extra assessments that need to be done to make sure a project will not impact the area negatively. There are some considerations that you would not usually expect to find in a planning document. For example, it discusses astronomy. That is because not only Stonehenge, but a few of the monuments - including Woodhenge and Durrington Walls - are shown to have alignments to solstices and lunar movements. "We know Stonehenge was used as a kind of sun calendar," explained Melanie Pomeroy-Kellinger, who is a manager for archaeology, landscape and historic environment at Wiltshire Council."We can't allow a massive development on the line of midsummer solstice for example. That would interfere with people's enjoyment and understanding of the importance of those alignments."Any development that is too tall for example, might affect the view, give off too much light pollution or reflections that could affect the sites. It also talks about views in the area and how monuments connect to each other, some very obviously, like avenues and ridges. "It's really important to think about it as ceremonial landscape," said Claire Selman, also a member of the team working with the council. "They might have been designed to be visible from one another" she added, mentioning that many also have connections to and woodland are also mentioned - some in a positive light, but it also notes the fact that some already in the area do not fit, with one in particular affecting the winter solstice. George Downs, who also works with the council, explained that while they are looking to introduce the Supplementary Planning Document, it does not mean there was nothing in place document integrates UNESCO Guidance on Heritage Impact Assessments and advice from Historic England with the National Planning Policy Framework and Local Plan requirements."There is a World Heritage Site Partnership which has had a management plan for the site which we last compiled in 2015," he said."It has an action plan which is reviewed every year."But this new document would give extra information and detail which, if adopted, will be used to ensure that any developments do not adversely impact the internationally significant monuments. The Supplementary Planning Document was created between the council, Chris Blandford Associates and has had input from the World Heritage Site can comment on the consultation online until 17 June, when there is also a recorded webinar to watch. There are also two more drop-in events to speak to people face-to-face being held at Amesbury Library on Monday 9 June and Marlborough Library on 12 June, both from 16:00 BST until 19:00 the council has been through the comments, it will consider the final version in October.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Nature reserve bridleway connects two villages
Two villages have been connected by foot for the first time via a bridleway through a nature reserve. The 2km (1.24-mile) route between Firsdown and Pitton, east of Salisbury, will be enjoyed by walkers, horse riders and cyclists, said Wiltshire Council. It runs through Roundbarrow Nature Reserve, land that is being transformed from an intensive dairy farm to chalk grassland by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). Councillor Paul Sample said: "This bridleway will give residents and visitors a front row view to see landscape restoration in action – and will encourage people to get out and about to enjoy nature and all its benefits." More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire The reserve is being created on 120 hectares of former farmland being leased to the RSPB by the council. It is hoped the reserve will attract ground-nesting birds such as the rare stone curlew and lapwing. The idea for the bridleway came after the council sought local opinions on ways to enhance the area. Mr Sample said: "We look forward to welcoming people to this very picturesque part of the county and for them to enjoy the resurgence of wildlife in the adjacent fields." Patrick Cashman, RSPB site manager for Wiltshire's nature reserves, said the charity was "delighted" to be working with the council to "achieve something meaningful at scale for wildlife". He added: "This is a rare opportunity to create a new downland nature reserve from scratch. "Users of the new permissive bridleway will be able to witness the changing view over the coming years from species-poor grasslands and crops towards a more colourful vista as a haven for the characteristic birds, bees, butterflies, and blooms of the Wiltshire chalk." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Ex-dairy farm to be turned into RSPB reserve Group given £50k to turn land into nature reserve Bid to transform former farm into nature reserve Wiltshire Council RSPB
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Nature reserve bridleway connects two villages
Two villages have been connected by foot for the first time via a bridleway through a nature reserve. The 2km (1.24-mile) route between Firsdown and Pitton, east of Salisbury, will be enjoyed by walkers, horse riders and cyclists, said Wiltshire Council. It runs through Roundbarrow Nature Reserve, land that is being transformed from an intensive dairy farm to chalk grassland by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). Councillor Paul Sample said: "This bridleway will give residents and visitors a front row view to see landscape restoration in action – and will encourage people to get out and about to enjoy nature and all its benefits." More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire The reserve is being created on 120 hectares of former farmland being leased to the RSPB by the council. It is hoped the reserve will attract ground-nesting birds such as the rare stone curlew and lapwing. The idea for the bridleway came after the council sought local opinions on ways to enhance the area. Mr Sample said: "We look forward to welcoming people to this very picturesque part of the county and for them to enjoy the resurgence of wildlife in the adjacent fields." Patrick Cashman, RSPB site manager for Wiltshire's nature reserves, said the charity was "delighted" to be working with the council to "achieve something meaningful at scale for wildlife". He added: "This is a rare opportunity to create a new downland nature reserve from scratch. "Users of the new permissive bridleway will be able to witness the changing view over the coming years from species-poor grasslands and crops towards a more colourful vista as a haven for the characteristic birds, bees, butterflies, and blooms of the Wiltshire chalk." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Ex-dairy farm to be turned into RSPB reserve Group given £50k to turn land into nature reserve Bid to transform former farm into nature reserve Wiltshire Council RSPB
