ePetition - Create a haven for wildlife and wellbeing by restoring biodiversity on Hollingbury and Waterhall golf courses
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Create a haven for wildlife and wellbeing by restoring biodiversity on Hollingbury and Waterhall golf courses
The leases of both golf courses expire in March 2020. The Tourism, Equalities and Culture Committee (TECC) will meet on 16 January 2020 to review tenders with a view to granting a 25 year lease. Extinction Rebellion Brighton urge TECC to take this unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ensure that the internationally endangered, wildlife-rich and diverse chalk grassland ecosystems of the two sites can re-generate and flourish, and that eco-friendly community food production and public health, wellbeing and recreational activities are promoted.
It will be necessary to first pause, next consult and finally
assess before a fully-considered decision can be made on the future
of the golf courses, to allow recognition of the need to:
- Restore the internationally endangered wildlife-rich chalk
grassland ecosystems of the two sites (and associated rare and
endangered species such as rare downland plants and insects,
cuckoo, nightingale, yellowhammer, and willow warbler),
- Maximise carbon drawdown [Ref 1], and
- Obtain ‘right to roam’ status across our downland to
re-connect locals and visitors with nature [Ref 2].
Only by agreeing to this can any successful proposal for the
existing Hollingbury and Waterhall golf courses be fully aligned
with:
- BHCC’s pioneering recognition of the Global Biodiversity
Emergency and their declaration of a Climate Emergency with a
commitment to go carbon neutral by 2030 [Ref 3];
- BHCC’s stated commitment to its Local Biodiversity Action
Plan [Ref 4]
- The status as Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere Region - a
World Biosphere Region designated by the United Nations body UNESCO
[Ref 5].
The population of Brighton, its visitors, the children of today,
and generations to come will equally benefit from the restoration
of biodiversity at these publicly owned sites. We simply cannot
miss this exciting opportunity to create a health & wellbeing
sanctuary and a wildlife haven for all. Let’s make it
happen!
References:
1. Natural England Research Report NERR043 (2012), Carbon storage
by habitat: Review of the evidence of the impacts of management
decisions and condition of carbon stores and sources http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/1412347
2. Legislation.gov.uk. (2000). Countryside and Rights of Way Act
2000.;
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/37/pdfs/ukpga_20000037_en.pdf
[Accessed 19 Dec. 2019].
3. Climate Emergency Declaration. (2018). United Kingdom: Brighton
declares its recognition of climate and biodiversity emergencies -
Climate Emergency Declaration.;
https://climateemergencydeclaration.org/united-kingdom-brighton-declares-its-recognition-of-climate-and-biodiversity-emergencies
[Accessed 19 Dec. 2019].; Brightonandhoveindependent.co.uk. (2019).
Brighton and Hove councillors unanimously back climate emergency
petition.;
https://www.brightonandhoveindependent.co.uk/news/environment/brighton-and-hove-councillors-unanimously-back-climate-emergency-petition-1-8793906
[Accessed 19 Dec. 2019].
4. Brighton-hove.gov.uk. (2019). A Local Biodiversity Action Plan
for Brighton & Hove | Brighton & Hove City Council.;
https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/leisure-and-libraries/parks-and-green-spaces/a-local-biodiversity-action-plan-brighton-hove
[Accessed 19 Dec. 2019].
5. The Living Coast. (2019). People & Nature for a Sustainable
Environment - Brighton & Lewes Downs | The Living Coast.
[online] https://thelivingcoast.org.uk/
[Accessed 19 Dec. 2019].; UK Man and the Biosphere Committee.
(2019). Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere.;
http://www.unesco-mab.org.uk/brighton--lewes-downs-biosphere.html
[Accessed 19 Dec. 2019].
This ePetition ran from 22/12/2019 to 15/01/2020 and has now finished.
5216 people signed this ePetition.
Council response
The petition will be considered at the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee on the 16 January 2020