Star date: 14th October 2019

TRADE UNION CALLS FOR ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON ALL SALFORD COUNCIL DECISIONS

Salford City UNISON Branch Secretary Steve North has called for a halt to the sale of Hill Top Moss in Walkden for housing as it would be a "backwards step following the City Council's recent declaration of a Climate Emergency".

In an open letter to Planning Lead Derek Antrobus and City Mayor Paul Dennett, Steve North expressed "concern and disappointment" at the proposed sale of land within Blackleach Country Park, due to be decided today, and called for a full Environment Impact Assessment on all Salford Council decisions.

Read the full letter here...

The full letter from Salford City UNISON Branch Secretary, Steve North, to Planning Lead Derek Antrobus and Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett, reads...

"I am emailing you in advance of a decision that is due to be taken next week, with regards to the future of Hill Top Moss in Walkden North.

I have read the attached document and wish to express concern and disappointment that the City Council is proposing that this land be used for housing and other development.

I, and my UNISON colleagues, feel that this would be a backwards step following the City Council's recent declaration of a Climate Emergency and your support for the Climate Day of Action on 20th September.

I'm sure you are already aware of this, but the protection of moss land is absolutely vital for the safe storage of carbon dioxide – as the link below explains*. Moss land is also more bio-diverse than even green-field sites and therefore, from a climate perspective, is arguably worthy of greater protection then even greenbelt land.

I appreciate that our intervention into this matter goes beyond the traditional scope of a trade union, but as you are aware, UNISON has pledged to make the Climate Emergency a trade union issue, as the damage that is being done to the climate is effecting the poorest in society the most. This can be seen in Salford through the impact of air pollution - particularly on children and those more vulnerable to its associated health risks.

At the last Climate Impact Board, I raised the suggestion of 'Environmental Impact Assessments' to be conducted prior to any Council decisions. You were supportive of that proposal and tasked the relevant officer, to go away and explore this in more detail.

Our view would be that, at the very least, the decision the City Mayor is due to take next week, should be halted, while a full Environmental Impact Assessment is undertaken, with findings shared in any subsequent decision notice, so that the public and other concerned bodies can comment further if they choose to. I would be happy to discuss with you further.

I should declare that I do live in the Walkden North ward and have been previously supportive of the Save Hill Top Moss campaign. Although I can assure you that our views would be the same, if the Council were proposing to build on moss land elsewhere within the city.

UNISON understands the need for affordable housing, but as our branch has recently determined that the protection of the environment must be Salford City Council's number one priority, it is our firm view that all other options should be explored before development takes place on such environmentally crucial moss land.

I look forward to hearing from you...."

* See here for mossland link https://www.lancswt.org.uk/our-work/projects/mossland-restoration

See also previous Salford Star article for a full background: Salford Hill Top Moss To Be Sold To Developer – click here