Latest news with #publicconsultation
BBC News
20 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Greenwich children's adventure play centres may face closure
Five adventure play centres in south-east London could be put at risk of closure as part of budget Council's financial strategy agreed in February included a review of the playgrounds to try to save £2.2m in the next four a council meeting this month, Labour councillor Sandra Bauer, cabinet minister for equality, culture and communities, did not rule out closures, and confirmed a public consultation would be launched in the "coming weeks".A Greenwich Council spokesperson said they were "investing £820,000 to improve and modernise our adventure play centres" along with the potential for longer opening hours at some sites. The borough has five such play parks, featuring equipment like rope swings and zip wires, and indoor activities like crafts and table are located at Meridian, Woolwich, Plumstead, Glyndon and Coldharbour, with the latter three discussed at the meeting on 23 than 1,400 residents have signed a petition to save the Coldharbour centre, with a further 104 petitioning to keep Plumstead open. Speaking at the meeting, Bauer did not confirm whether the sites would be closed, and apologised that the public consultation had not yet said: "We are absolutely committed to doing this right and we need more information. "I'm sorry that it's taking so long but we have to do it right, and that's what we are going to do."Bauer also denied she had told staff at the Glyndon centre that it would remain Suckoo, who launched the Glyndon petition, also requested figures on the cost of running the centres, which Bauer confirmed would be provided as part of the consultation. 'A safe haven for children' Martin Sheehan, who set up the Coldharbour petition, said on its website: "Growing up, my local adventure play centre and youth club in Coldharbour was more than just a hub for the community, it was a home. It was a safe haven for children like myself."It wasn't just about play, but about fulfilling the basic needs of many children in our community."Conservative councillor Roger Tester, who spoke on behalf of Mr Sheehan at the meeting, said the continued uncertainty was causing "anxiety among children, parents and staff alike". A council spokesperson said: "It's important to us that families, young people and staff have a chance to have their say on the future of our adventure play centres and we will be launching a public consultation in the coming weeks."The council described the review as part of a broader package of support for children and young people, including £1m spent on playground upgrades, improved sports facilities, and restructured children's centres.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
New Forest District Council
Public views sought on New Forest protection orders A council is looking for views on whether the rules should be extended for a further three years.
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Public in Spelthorne urged to contribute to planning document
Residents of a Surrey district are being urged to have their say on a document which would influence the future of their towns.A public consultation is under way into the Spelthorne Design Code, which will be used as criteria for planning applications put before Spelthorne Borough will contain guidance on issues including the height and size of buildings, green and public spaces, street layouts and where new housing could be built, the council consultation will run until 4 August. The draft code has already been updated after a first public consultation in March and authority also previously organised walking tours to gather public opinion about the Beecher, chair of the environment and sustainability committee, said the code set out a "shared vision for how we want our borough to grow"."The Design Code reflects what matters most to the people of Spelthorne," he said."This survey is your final chance to help shape this important planning document so please do have your say."
BBC News
22-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Views sought in Dormansland on new plan to influence development
People living in a Surrey village have been offered the chance to give their views on a document that will influence future planning Dormansland Neighbourhood Plan is being put together by the village's parish council and Tandridge District Council.A public consultation opened on 18 July and will run until 26 plan will be part of the criteria by which future planning applications are judged. The parish council said it wants the village to retain its distinctive character, with new homes built to meet local needs, such as for young families or older people who wish to also wants to encourage cycling and walking, and support and increase local draft plan can be seen here.
South China Morning Post
19-07-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong must treasure the natural assets that help make it special
Hong Kong is well-known as a busy and bustling metropolis, with crowded streets, congested roads and tightly-packed skyscrapers. The city's amazing biodiversity, including many endangered species, is not widely appreciated. But flora and fauna is an integral part of what makes Hong Kong special. The city boasts more than 50 types of land-based mammal, over 130 dragonfly species, and 240 kinds of butterfly. There are 580 bird species, 1,000 types of marine fish and 3,300 species of vascular plants. It is imperative that these assets are preserved and able to flourish. Sadly, many are under threat. A two-month public consultation on the updating of Hong Kong's Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan concluded this month. The plan, required by an international convention, was introduced in 2016. The review is a chance to make biodiversity a top priority for all sectors, public and private, and instil a love of nature in the community. Four action areas are highlighted in the document: nature conservation, mainstreaming, capacity building and collaborative partnering. But the most important part is the 10 questions posed to the public at the end. These are broad and open-ended, essentially asking what Hong Kong's vision should be for nature conservation and how to realise it. The government should be very receptive to submissions that can take the strategy to a new level. Think-tank Civic Exchange, in a compelling submission, argues that nature should be integrated into decision-making across public and private sectors, with Hong Kong making an active contribution to the world's efforts to reverse biodiversity loss, becoming a regional leader in the field. It advocates the establishment of a central hub for 'nature-based solutions'.
