Only here til the problem is resolved
Joined June 2020
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Merry Albright retweeted
Could your land help shape Herefordshire’s future?
We’re inviting additional sites for consideration as part of our new Local Plan.
Landowners are also encouraged to explore opportunities with neighbours.
Deadline: 10 December
Find out more and submit your site 🔽
orlo.uk/NE5t4
ALT A Herefordshire Council graphic inviting landowners to submit sites for the new Local Plan by 10 December.
Merry Albright retweeted
🌊 The English Waters Megathread v2 🌊
It's been 3 years since my original thread and the prevailing narrative is still one of decline. I went through the latest numbers and put together this explainer video and thread to see what the new data shows.
youtube.com/watch?v=mRGeOUsb…
theguardian.com/environment/…
Will there finally be a change to the utterly ridiculous situation of the agencies knowing the cause of pollution yet watching from the sidelines and doing so little to address & stop it?
What an incredible family.
I’ve been trying a draft a response to the Norfolk EDP for a week. It’s hard to be positive about it.
I’m just repeating concerns I’ve already raised.
But went down an apportionment rabbit hole…
Windermere is interesting - I’d only ever heard about the UU issues.
Merry Albright retweeted
This is what we've come to.
A retired couple had to spend £1m of their own money taking both the @EnvAgency and @NaturalEngland to the High Court simply to force both of these charlatans to do their job, safeguard one of our nation's most legally heavily protected bits of countryside.
And the environment charities does what exactly?
thetimes.com/uk/environment/…
Very reassuring to see that the brightest politicians are grappling with the big issues and really earning their £100k+ wage.
Parking should be straightforward, not another everyday hassle.
Today we’re putting the brakes on rip-off parking charges - meaning drivers get a fairer deal, protections from being unfairly charged, and confidence that private parking providers are held to a higher standard.
It's yet another step forward in this government’s plan to take the stress out of everyday life and ease the pressure on people's pockets.
Merry Albright retweeted
"You wouldn't let the Financial Conduct Authority run a hedge fund or the Civil Aviation Authority run an airline so why is an environmental regulator participating commercially in the nature markets it oversees?" - Henri Willmott on @NaturalEngland
gbnews.com/politics/natural-…
Merry Albright retweeted
How sheepish is Europe? This map shows the distribution of sheep across Europe. Source: buff.ly/dSfHDOe
Merry Albright retweeted
The rapidly changing climate is having many impacts.
The hot dry summer not only led to water shortages and low rivers but also increased nutrient pollution (due to lack of dilution).
Most English rivers suffering from raised phosphates.
Map by George Robson.
He surely doesn’t think this helps?
So now you can check where is marginally less of a rip off (we all do that anyway Andy!)
And don’t forget electric will be 2.3 pence cheaper than last year. And the buses!
What will you spend the spare cash on I wonder?
Exciting times ahead!
I know people are worried about fuel prices. And I get it. You get to the pump, watch the numbers climb, and wonder why it's costing so much more than it used to.
The reality is that global events are pushing up costs, and families here at home are feeling the impact.
But I won't accept that there's nothing I can do to help.
That's why from today, you'll be able to see petrol and diesel prices on Google Maps, compare nearby stations and find the cheapest option before you fill up.
It's a small change, but if there's a practical way to help people keep more money in their pocket, I'll do it.
Culling deer is a NE action in the Norfolk EDP - put forward as a ‘solution’ for nutrient pollution. Apparently too many animals can cause ecological harm in a sensitive catchment & reducing livestock numbers will help…
Sounds familiar, yet different.
House builders pay - obvs.
A couple of things that are crucial in nutrient failing catchments, don’t take much effort, are funded & effective - yet are rarely actioned (and in some cases actively prevented):
1. Wide, continuous & active river/brook/stream buffers (50m +)
2. Orchards (esp if organic)
Does anyone know how the Norfolk EDP & NRF (potentially generating +£40 million for NE by creating another new homes levy) will resolve the agri & water co. nutrient surplus? Mathematically, scientifically or legally?
If the pollution remains, the EDP & levy remains…oh, I see…
This Wednesday!
The River Arrow Trust is holding its second ‘6 short talks’ event - with a local feast kindly provided by the Herefordshire Food Alliance.
Great speakers - raising awareness through education, ecology, art, politics & action.
Everyone welcome!
Nutrient Neutrality & mitigation in ANY form (including EDPs/NRFs) is a deeply flawed position to maintain.
Mitigation should only ever be temporary & interim. Radical & bold catchment restoration/protection actions must be implemented.
Yet noone is resolving pollution at source.
Merry Albright retweeted
Every year @BritishProgress asks Britain's top economists and policy researchers what the UK should do to increase growth.
🚨 As covered exclusively for @thetimes this morning, the 2026 growth survey results are now in! 🚨
This was our biggest survey yet with over 100 responses.
📉 The bad news: Britain's public finances, with inflation hit by external shocks, are in a bad state.
📈 The good news: the UK is not without options. There is much that can be done on the supply side reforms, & smarter fiscal policy can raise revenue while supporting growth.
Here are the 12 most interesting results 👇
*1. Where should the government prioritise spending political capital?*
We asked "In what areas should the Government invest more (or less) political capital to achieve growth?"
NB this was explicitly not a question about spending – that's the next one.
After yrs of planning & prep the meadow creation/restoration is underway. Donor seed being spread next week! Part of a bigger project to enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, protect heritage (ridge & furrow found) etc
Huge thanks @CPREHfdshire WUF & Herefordshire Meadows
Merry Albright retweeted
Dear councils, 97% of UK meadows are gone. So if you have wildflowers like ox-eye daisies on roadverges and in public spaces, don't spray them with weedkiller or over-mow them. Let's give pollinating insects like bees and butterflies a chance 🐝
Who is going to really look into the unjust scandal of nutrient pollution & the side stepping of catchment restoration in favour of extracting yet more ££ from housing - who aren’t the cause of the problem & already pay water companies?
What about the other ‘polluters’?
The first Enivronmental Delivery Plan has been published by Natural England
In return for being allowed to build homes in parts of Norflok effected by nutrient pollution, developers are being asked to pay £2,675 per home to deliver mitigation measures.
The tables below show Natural England’s estimates of the sources of that nutrient pollution.
“Rural Land Use” mainly covers farming (but also activities like forestry too).
“Point Sources” refers to overflow from sewage treatment works.
“Urban” relates to all existing urban areas.
Developers absolutely should be expected to mitigate the impacts of new homes, but it’s hard not to conclude that they’re also being asked to deal with the actions of polluters.
(Source: assets.publishing.service.go…)
