Peter Ogden has been appointed CPRW�s Director and will take up his post on 5th January.

A native of Rhyl in North East Wales, Peter Ogden graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Geography from the University of Leeds in 1974. Having worked for Robertson Research International, as part of their Land Survey team, Peter then moved to the Snowdonia National Park Authority as a Senior Planning Assistant (Policy). For the last 10 years he has been head of the Authority�s Planning Policy Section with specific responsibilities for preparing Development and Management Plans for the National Park.

A Chartered Town Planner and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Peter currently lives in Dolgellau and enjoys sport and the outdoors. He is an active hill walker and has worked and travelled extensively overseas, lecturing and advising managers of Protected Landscapes on environmental planning and management in countries throughout Western and Eastern Europe, North America and the Caribbean.

Peter is currently a Member of the World Commission of Protected Areas (WCPA) and also a Technical Adviser to the International Union for Nature Conservation (IUCN) on World Heritage matters and is able to bring these skills and experience to the post of Director.

At the same meeting of CPRW�s Council that the President, Michael Griffith, announced the above appointment, he also said that Helen Mrowiec, Deputy (and since September, Acting) Director would be leaving in January.

Helen has accepted the position of Project Officer with the Heather and Hillforts Project in the Clwydian Range AONB which will be much closer to home when she moves into the farmhouse she and her husband are renovating at the moment.

Helen has contributed enormously to the work of CPRW especially since she was appointed to the new position of Deputy in 2001 and will be sorely missed.

If you would like to contribute to a leaving present - vouchers for a leading plant nursery - which will be used to start her new garden, please send a cheque made payable to CPRW to Head Office. Helen leaves on 12th January.

The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) has now published the long awaited consultation on the Wales Spatial Plan.

The aim of the plan is to provide a national spatial framework, which the WAG hope will assist to:

* Integrate the policies and actions of the Assembly and others to achieve their vision of a sustainable Wales.

* Establish an integrated framework for the social, economic and environmental development of Wales.

* Provide a context for guiding public and private investment decisions.

* Promote debate on the future role of places and regions within Wales.

The Spatial Plan aims to:

* Identify Sustainable Spatial Development Values and Objectives

* Look at where we are now and the spatial challenges we face

* Look at where we want to go and present a spatial perspective that >attempts to classify areas facing common challenges and that are similar in nature

* Look at a way forward and the impact of the Spatial Plan on decision-making.

The Wales Spatial Plan sits outside, and is complementary to,the land use planning system. However, planning authorities will be required to have regard to it in their plan preparation and decision-making.

The Spatial Plan attempts to go beyond traditional land-use planning and sets out a strategic framework to guide future development and policy interventions, whether or not subject to land use planning control.

The strategic framework adopted for the development plan seems to be a sensible approach, however, the devil is, as usual, in the detail. It is also hard to visualise from the document how its implementation will take place and what actual difference it will make on the ground. Similar concerns were expressed during the development of the Welsh Assembly Government�s Sustainable Development Scheme, which is also currently under review.

A full copy of People, Places, Futures, The Welsh Spatial Plan is available from the National Assembly for Wales Spatial Plan Unit: 029 2080 1488. Copies have been circulated to all CPRW Branch Sectaries and members of CPRW�s Executive Committee. CPRW�s official response will be formulated in January by a sub-group taking account of all comments made by individual members and branches.

Landscapes and landscape designations have been a much neglected sphere of activity at the European level for years. Whilst nature conservation matters and the issues of the physical aspects of the environmental such as air and water quality have been addressed by a whole series of measures, the matter of 'landscape' has been rather ignored. There are many reasons for this but two stand out as providing the greatest difficulties and they are:-

* The perception that landscape protection has been regarded as an elitist concept

* The fact that landscape appreciation has been regarded as a subjective matter and therefore not subject to the rigours of science.

To counter this negative attitude, there is what is called the European Landscape Convention which falls within the sphere of the Council of Europe (Conseil d'Europe). This has 41 members including the European Union states and is an umbrella body that leads the way in conservation thinking.

The Convention has 18 Articles where it calls on the Member States to fully integrate landscape into their land use planning and management and increase awareness of the significance of landscape through education and promotion.

At its November meeting, CPRW�sl agreed that:

CPRW takes up the �cause� of the European Landscape Convention in Wales with the aim of persuading the Welsh Assembly Government to agree with the principles of the Convention with the ultimate aim of putting pressure on the UK Government to adopt the Convention fully.

A copy of the Convention is available from CPRW Head Office.

At the same meeting of Council, it was also decided that CPRW should become supporters of the Five Year Freeze on genetic modification and patenting in food and farming and endorses the call for a freeze on:

* The growing of genetically modified plants and the production of genetically modified farm animals for any commercial purpose

* The imports of genetically modified foods, plants, farm crops and farm animals, and produce from genetically modified plants and animals

* The patenting of genetic resources for food and farm crops.

In the foreword to this consultation, which extends to England and Wales, Rural Affairs Minister, Alun Michael MP says:

�.. I have been approached by many individuals and organisations who are deeply concerned about problems caused by the use of mechanically propelled vehicles on rights of way and in the wider countryside. I share these concerns, having seen for myself examples of damage to fragile tracks and other aspects of our natural and cultural heritage in various areas of the country. There is considerable concern about behaviour that causes distress to others seeking quiet enjoyment of the countryside.

�Because of this I have resolved to take a fresh look at the whole issue of the use of vehicles on rights of way and in the wider countryside and this paper sets out some proposals for dealing with the problems that can arise from that use. In doing so I am seeking to achieve the right balance between the interests of the various organisations and individuals concerned and the interests of maintaining the tranquillity and conservation value of the countryside.�

Copies of the Consultation Document are available from

Defra Publications, Admail 6000, London SW1A 2XX

and can be downloaded from www.defra.gov.uk Responses required by 19th March 2004.

It was reported to the November meeting of the Montgomeryshire Planning Committee that Cllr. David Edwards had resigned.

The Planning Minister, Carwyn Jones AM, had invited Powys County Council to meet with him to explain what measures are proposed to be put in place to prevent a reoccurrence of the kinds of issues raised in the District Auditor�s report, �Planning in Montgomery�. (The report can be viewed www.audit-commission.gov.uk/wales) The meeting took place on 11th November.

The Council explained that much had been done over the last few years, including the adoption by the Council of its own Code of Conduct, building upon the advice of the WAG. Declarations of interest are now placed at the start of committee proceedings and a form for Members is distributed with committee papers. A system of regular and mandatory training for Members has been established. It was explained to the Minister that the Council has also adopted a referral mechanism and established a County Planning Committee to deal with applications that are the subject of Environmental Impact Assessment or those that are referred from the Shire Planning Committees or those that impact on more than one Shire. The Council also explained further new initiatives including the introduction of a revised delegation scheme, allowing Members to concentrate on more important issues, the new public speaking opportunities, the new publicity regime and mandatory neighbour notification procedures.

Llanelli Sand Dredging Ltd has been granted a two-year extension to their licence to dredge sand on Helwick Bank, it was announced in October.

The extension permits the company to extract up to 214,000 tonnes of sand at no more than 107,000 tonnes in a year.

The decision was taken following a detailed assessment of whether a further two years dredging would have an adverse effect on features such as sandbanks and inlets within the Carmarthenshire Bay conservation site and the life they support, or on the integrity of the site as a whole.

CPRW commented on the application, emphasising the importance of comprehensive monitoring.

The Countryside Council for Wales agrees with the Assessment that given suitable conditions the two-year extension will not have an adverse effect.

Carwyn Jones said:

�Many local people remain concerned about what they see as links between the dredging and the Gower beaches. We have considered in detail the data and information in our possession, including the results of monitoring over the past ten years.

�Whilst we can see there are sometimes natural changes from storms and changing seasons, the monitoring shows that the volumes of sand on the beaches remain relatively constant over time.�

The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee�s Report �Light Pollution and Astronomy� was published in October. Our sister organisation CPRE (now called �Campaign to Protect Rural England�) gave detailed evidence to the Committee. They very much welcomed the report by MPs as it takes the Government to task for an �inconsistent approach� on the issue of light pollution and calls on the Government to take �serious action to tackle this problem�.

They call for a series of measures to clamp down on growing light pollution, including:

* Making obtrusive light a statutory nuisance

* New and effective planning guidance

* Better guidance for local councils in their role as highway authorities.

CPRE particularly welcomed the recommendation that dark rural areas and parkland as well as the areas around astronomical observatories should only be lit by �full cut-off� lighting which allows no rays to spill upwards into the night sky.

Photocopies of the report are available from CPRW Head Office.

Our sister organisation CPRE has responded in scathing terms to the government�s consultative draft to replace the familiar PPG7. In its briefing issued in December 2003, CPRE is driven to use some extraordinary language, concluding that the proposals would encourage suburban blight and inflict � a pox on the countryside�. It accuses the government of compiling � a developer�s charter� which would �threaten the integrity and beauty of the ordinary countryside� and �infect rural England with a virulent contagion, leaving much of it scarred beyond recognition�.

CPRE laments the transition of planning from a protective to a facilitating role, something which we have already noted with concern in Wales. It compares the draft with the existing PPG7 and expresses concern at proposals:

* to water down the commitment to protect the countryside �for its own sake�;

* to view it as �a springboard for development�;

* to elevate economic growth above the need to protect rurality;

* to weaken protection for the best and most versatile farmland;

* to abandon local countryside designations; and

* to allow more rural development unless contravening �statutory� designations.

CPRW sympathises with this dilemma, and notes that the tenor of the policy Statement is far from sustainable and one step more draconian than Guidance. This must send alarm signals across Offa�s Dyke. A substantially unscathed PPS7 would encourage similar tendencies here. Branches are encouraged to read CPRE�s verdict (Branch secretaries will receive the Briefing with this mailing � it will be sent to others, on request) in detail and remain on their guard for the next round of revised planning policy in Wales � a process which is already underway in the revision of TAN8 on renewable energy.

CPRW�s Executive has a Wind Energy Sub Committee. It has been responsible for developing and formulating CPRW�s policies on wind energy for consideration by Council. At present we have a General Policy on Renewable Energy Installations with Annexes A (2000 Policy on Land-based Wind Installations) and B (2000 Policy on Off-Shore Wind Installations).

In order for us to suggest alternative means of generating renewable energy, and having in mind that if the UK is to meet its targets for the production of renewable energy other forms of its generation will have to be considered, it is essential that we start to develop policies on them.

We need to identify members with some knowledge and expertise on hydro-generation, biomass, solar panels, wave-power and tidal power. If you know of any member who has the appropriate knowledge and expertise and who would be willing to assist in the development of policies in this subject , please inform Head Office. Please let them know of their name, address, telephone number, e-mail address and details of their particular expertise or knowledge.

Our Brecknock Branch are concerned that traffic schemes which may be appropriate and acceptable in an urban environment may not be so in a rural one. They cite the case of Llangattock where speeding has been of concern to the residents for some time and the Community Council had been asking the Highways people to do something. A month or so ago bollards were erected restricting the road to a single width in two places forming what they think are termed chicanes. Wide sections of the road have been coloured bright red. In other areas large road signs warning of narrow bridges, speed restrictions and unusual road surfaces have been appearing. Speed humps have also attracted criticism. Following a public meeting, Llangattock Community Council wrote to Powys complaining about the scheme (which they considered had urbanized their rural village) but particularly about the lack of consultation with the residents.

Head Office would like to hear the views of other branches and individuals on this subject.

A cocktail of highly toxic man made chemicals has been found in every single person tested in Wales as part of a UK-wide survey commissioned by WWF.

�ContamNATION, the Results of WWF�s Biomonitoring Survey� was launched in November at the National Assembly. John Griffiths, Deputy Health Minister, and Mick Bates, Liberal Democrat spokesperson on the Environment were present. Both had taken part in the survey and both of their blood samples showed levels of contamination from flame retardants used to prevent fire in everyday products such as cars, TVs and settees.

WWF is calling on MEPs, MPs and AMs to help strengthen the current legislation that regulates the use of toxic chemicals by putting the health of people and wildlife before the profits of the chemical industry.

The European Union is currently reviewing its chemical legislation. This provides politicians with a once in a lifetime opportunity to influence the way in which toxic chemicals are used in everyday items. For further information visit www.wwf.org.uk/chemicals

Birth figures for one of Britain�s rarest bats have reached record levels, thanks to conservation efforts in Pembrokeshire.

Birth figures for the Greater Horseshoe Bat have reached record figures in Pembrokeshire this year. The �baby boom� of recent years is showing no signs of slowing down with 228 births recorded this year.

The recent recovery is due to a combination of milder winters, conservation management and more considerate building practices. Preserving and creating new woodlands and hedgerows under CCW�s Tir Gofal Agri-Environment scheme has also made a contribution to the restoration of the Greater Horseshoe Bat�s feeding sites.

For a Bat information pack, or advice if you find bats in the roof of your home, contact CCW enquiries line on 0845 1306 229.

Forestry Commission Wales� latest survey to monitor and improve dormice habitats in the forests around Llandovery has revealed a sharp increase in the amount of new sites recorded.

As dormice are an endangered species protected by UK and European legislation, the conservation of their forest habitats is an important part of FC Wales� conservation management plan. During a three-year survey of Llandovery Forest District, more than 30 new sites have been recorded.

For further information contact FC Information Officer, Clive Davies on 01970 625866

Can you think of someone special who inspires you by what they do as a volunteer? Or maybe you know of a group or organisation which is a shining example of how volunteers can make a positive difference? Why not nominate them for the new Wales Volunteer of the Year Award? The Award is supported by the Community Fund and managed by Wales Council for Voluntary Action. Leaflets and nomination forms available from WCVA Helpdesk 0870 607 1666 email help@wcva.org.uk. Information is also available on the website www.wcva.org.uk/volunteering

Details of CCW Council meetings in 2004:

Members of the public are welcome to attend and the meetings are expected to last just over 2 hours. After the close of each meeting and following a short break, the Chairman, Chief Executive and Senior Officers will be available to answer questions on agenda items discussed.

Copies of the agenda are available a week before each scheduled meeting and can be obtained from CCW Head Office on 01248 385629, Fax 01248 385506 e-mail b.roberts@ccw.gov.uk . You can request papers from selected agenda items in advance on the condition that they are kept confidential until the meeting. Please let CCW know if you will be attending in order that they may make the necessary seating arrangements and have an adequate supply of the papers.

Head Office recently received a complaint from a developer in south Wales that comments by a CPRW branch on a planning application contained inaccuracies. It turned out that the complaint was unfounded but we thought we would gently remind branches how important is in that any comments made are accurate. Charity Commission guidance on this, contained in �CC9 � Political Activities and Campaigning by Charities� is quite clear on this:

Para 46. A charity must not provide information which it knows, or ought to know, to be inaccurate, or which has been distorted by selection to support a preconceived position.

Copies of CC9 will be sent to Branch Secretaries with this mailing and will be sent to others, on request, or it can be downloaded from the Commission�s website www.charitycommission.gov.uk/publications

The formula for calculating the dates of Executive Committee meetings is as follows:

Meetings of Executive Committee take place on the 2nd Thursdays in February, May and September and the 1st Thursday in November. Normally, meetings of Council take place on the 2nd Saturday in March, the 4th Saturday in June (same day as the AGM) and the 3rd Saturday in November.

Therefore the meeting dates for 2004 are:

At the November meeting of Council, Arthur Thomasson was re-elected to the Executive Committee.

Would Branch Treasurers please ensure that the words �Registered Charity� appear on all cheques. If the bank or building society cannot do this, send the books to Head Office and we will stamp and return them. This is a legal requirement and these words must appear on any correspondence involving financial matters.

Hon. Treasurer, John Townsend QPM, made a Powerpoint presentation on CPRW finances to the November meeting of Council. This is available from Head Office.

A year�s free membership of CPRW�s 400 Club to first correct answer received.

What�s the missing word from these extracts from an Environment Agency press notice?

�Britain�s toughest and only native carp is being threatened by ________ Environment Agency scientists fear the _______ could force native crucian carp out of existence. Now, in depth research commissioned by the Agency has revealed that the ________ are not only competing for food and living space, but are mating with crucian carp.�

Would you prefer to receive the Bulletin by e-mail? If so, then please send us a message (if you have not already done so).

CPRW, T Gwyn, 31 High Street, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 7YD 
Tel: 01938 552525/556212 Fax: 01938 871552 
E mail: info@cprw.org.uk     web site: www.cprw.org.uk 
Branch Bulletin Issue 76 September 2003