Dear all,

We have a few things to update you on, but as time is of the essence on this one we'll share this first, and more will follow tomorrow.

We wanted to let you know that there's a public meeting coming up on Monday evening, 6 - 8pm in the Carnegie Library, Bangor.  Specifically following on from the wave of public feeling around the coastline plans, and seeking a new, more engaged approach to the planning process, this meeting is hosted by Greenspaces. Please let them know if you're interested by using the Eventbrite link below, as they're trying to gauge numbers.

This is a nature-focused group of local people who are keen to work for the best outcomes for our borough in terms of beautiful natural spaces, including parks and biodiversity corridors.  They are pointing to the findings that our country is 12th from the top of a table of "Most Nature Depleted Countries" out of 270 surveyed by RSPB in 2020, and want to work to reverse this trend.

Their aim is to have a very positive, constructive conversation in the neutral setting of the Carnegie Library, because they want to break down barriers and engender good relations. 

We'd be really pleased if you'd come along to this friendly gathering and meet some of us, and share constructive ideas for the way forward.

Details below. Thanks!

.....

ALL WELCOME! Please come along on Monday 13th at 6pm!

Following the withdrawal of the planning application that would have affected the coastal path environment, and mindful of the diversity of opinion on the pros and cons of this, Greenspaces are hosting a public meeting on Monday 13 March, 6pm - 8pm at the Carnegie Library on Hamilton Road. (refreshments provided!)

Purpose: 

To follow-up the public meetings that were about the plans for the coastal path, which generated a lot of interest and were oversubscribed. To connect more people into the Greenspaces forum for the betterment of our borough.

To address - 

1] The existing top-down nature of Planning, asking how we can constructively challenge this and encourage council, via our elected representatives, toward a more community-connected methodology.
We believe planning works better commenced from the grassroots, up. We have been told that a Working Group will be set up, as a result of the withdrawal of the planning application for the coast, and one initial action is to see if community participation will be facilitated in this setting.

2] The need in our current biodiversity crisis to create conditions where natural habitat is enshrined as invaluable at the START of all planning considerations, and every step taken to prioritise saving, protecting and creating a network of biodiverse spaces, so that we move away from the top ten of that ignoble league table of "Most Nature Depleted Countries" out of 270 surveyed by RSPB in 2020.  
We see the need to push for an actively Nature-Promoting planning system. Do you agree? Come along and share ideas.

Meeting Format:

We want to give maximum opportunity for you to bring your voice to the table. We aim therefore to have three steps, after an introductory chat from Patrick Cregg MBE, about our aims as Greenspaces - 

step 1] Some harvesting of ideas from the assembled people as to priorities/concerns, to be written up on flipchart.

step 2] Allow attendees to discuss these priorities in smaller informal groups 

step 3] One volunteer from each group feeds back to flipchart team with a couple of aims/direction for their area of interest.  

We may need a short series of these meetings, perhaps three, a month apart, to be confirmed as we gauge interest.  
Through this process we aim to involve a wider community in our activities; to connect those with knowledge of local areas with those who have expertise; and to push for a better planning system with more community involvement, fostering better outcomes for nature and people.  

Please click on the Eventbrite link to ensure attendance, as numbers are limited for this venue: 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lets-find-a-way-to-better-protect-our-green-spaces-tickets-570952523367

Lets find a way to better protect our green spaces!