0 Post a comment Monday, 18 June 2018 - Environment by Sarah Pitt - Reporter @okeytimes [email protected] A MAN has been fined by a court for driving a 4x4 off road on Dartmoor. Maverick Smith, 23, from Bere Ferrers, admitted two offences related to driving off road on the moor near Princetown.The prosecution was brought by Dartmoor National Park Authority, its first for anything other than planning enforcement in 25 years.Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court heard today (Monday) that national park ranger Rob Steemson saw Mr Smith driving near Nun’s Cross Farm, south of Princetown, on October 1 last year.Mr Steemson followed Mr Smith’s green Suzuki Jimny jeep down a track and onto moorland.Tom Bradnock, prosecuting, said the jeep was causing damage to the soft ground on the moor.Mr Steemson stopped Mr Smith, who was driving, and asked him if he had seen the sign stating that driving off road on the moor was not permitted.Mr Smith said he had … [Read more...] about Man fined for driving 4×4 off road on Dartmoor in first case of its kind in 25 years for Dartmoor National Park Authority
Environment
Vital habitats damaged by ‘irresponsible’ off-roaders
0 Post a comment Monday, 18 June 2018 - Environment by Alex Jones - Meirionnydd, Arfon & Dwyfor reporter @alexj_cn [email protected] IRRESPONSIBLE off-road drivers are “extensively damaging” vital habitats and routes in the region, according to national park officers. Officers from Snowdonia National Park Authority and local landowners are strongly appealing to 4x4 vehicle drivers to stick to specific routes when driving their vehicles in Meirionnydd.Over recent months, old tracks and surrounding lands in the Pennal, Bont Ddu and Pont Scethin areas of South Meirionnydd have been extensively damaged by certain 4x4 vehicles.As a result, not only has the land’s surface been damaged, countless ditches have been created, many fragile habitats have been damaged which could in turn effect Glastir payments for landowners.And, whilst other bodies and vehicle associations such as Glass (Green Lane Association), Land Access and Recreation Association … [Read more...] about Vital habitats damaged by ‘irresponsible’ off-roaders
Call for communal bins to combat mess on Aberystwyth’s streets
0 Post a comment Monday, 18 June 2018 - Environment by Chris Betteley - Aberystwyth, Machynlleth & Llanidloes reporter @ChrisABetteley [email protected] A COUNCILLOR has called on Ceredigion council to “investigate” placing communal bins for household waste in Aberystwyth to avoid the familiar scenes of the contents of split black bags strewn across the town’s streets on collection day. Cllr Ceredig Davies has asked for the council to look at a solution that has been used successfully in Brighton – where communal bins are placed around the streets to store household waste for those without space to store black bags.The site of black bags in Aberystwyth town centre split and their contents spread across the pavements is a regular site on collection day, with many town centre properties featuring multiple occupation and a lack of bin storage or access to wheelie bins.The situation is likely to get worse, with Ceredigion moving to … [Read more...] about Call for communal bins to combat mess on Aberystwyth’s streets
Harry Hallowes: Former squatter’s plot of land sold to private bidder at auction
PUBLISHED: 16:40 18 June 2018 | UPDATED: 16:41 18 June 2018 Vicky Munro The plot that Harry Hallowes owned on Hampstead Heath. Picture: Savills Archant A half-acre plot of Hampstead Heath was sold to a private buyer for £154,000 in an auction today, adding fuel to conservationists’ fears that it could be developed Harry Hallowes lived in a shack on the Heath for 20 years before gaining the land under squatter's rights The plot, which is below the private gardens for Athlone House, was auctioned by homelessness charities, Shelter and Centrepoint to raise money. It was bequeathed to them in 2016 on the death of Harry Hallowes, a homeless man awarded squatter’s rights to the land after living there for 20 years. The charities elected for a public auction, rejecting a private offer from City of London Corporation (CoL) and the 121-year-old Heath and Hampstead Society, who wanted to acquire the land to incorporate it back into the surrounding Heath. CoL’s … [Read more...] about Harry Hallowes: Former squatter’s plot of land sold to private bidder at auction
‘Reopen’ ancient wells to supply free drinking water
0 Post a comment Monday, 18 June 2018 - Environment by Alex Jones - Meirionnydd, Arfon & Dwyfor reporter @alexj_cn [email protected] A TOWN council is considering opening its ancient wells to aid thirsty walkers. Last week the Welsh Government made an announcement that walkers on the Wales Coastal Path will soon be able to refill their water bottles for free under a plan to tackle plastic waste.The 870-mile route has been chosen for the first stage in a drive to make Wales a “refill nation”.Towns, villages and traders will be urged to join in, with refill points identified by stickers and an app.Environment minister Hannah Blythyn said plastic waste had a “devastating” effect on the marine environment.Communities and businesses with free drinking water available will be invited to take part in the scheme over the next 12 months.“Wales is the first country in the world to have a dedicated footpath that stretches the entire … [Read more...] about ‘Reopen’ ancient wells to supply free drinking water