I was so sad to learn that there are plans for new homes to be made alongside the Walsall Arboretum. This made me very upset as we love this space and access it all the time.
Do you know this is the only area of the park with open fields and animal grazing views. Me and my family, as well as other families walk to and from school through this area. This makes us so happy every day seeing all the animals and spotting the different types of wildlife we can see. Its a mini adventure we take twice a day! It makes us feel amazing before we start and finish school. Everyone should have access to green spaces as the Covid-19 pandemic has shown. The happiness and the health benefits it brings are really good. Did you know that learning and being in and about in nature can improve young people’s physical health, mental well-being, being connected to nature, as well as educational attainment.
We are very lucky as our school is near this area and we access this space during lessons sometimes, which makes us feel so fantastic! Just being out in nature, fresh air, seeing animals and the wildlife. It is hard to explain the feeling in words, but I can say if you ask every child at our school they will tell you how amazing they feel being in this space outdoors.
What exactly is the 'The Black Country's Plan'? They are proposing that they will build over 5000 homes on the Walsall green belt. 592 of these homes will be a development that will DESTROY the greenbelt, wildlife corridors and increase flooding.
In this area there are protected species of Badgers and Bats' which will have the habitats destroyed. The red Deer, Barn / Tawny Owls, Buzzards and Parakeets will be lost in the area also, as they try to navigate around the noise and light pollution.
We are pleading to the planners to be creative and change their decision and to build on the Brownfield sites.
I have been told this is a more hard and expensive option... However, PLEASE do not take this precious green space away from us children and the Walsall residents.
If this isn't stopped the green belt will be gone forever... I cannot imagine not having this space in our lives...
For the physical and mental health of children, Walsall residents and for the wildlife, please STOP building on our green belt!
If you would like to show your support please attend and join us on Tuesday 21st December 2021 at 12pm. The local 'Eco-Committee Members' are raising awareness of this issue with local residents, as well as hosting a prize raffle. There will be some Media present, to highlight our support to stop the local Council destroying our green belt. Therefore, I please ask everyone to spare some time and please attend this event. (See map below of where to meet.)
Do not let the local Council and Government take our green spaces. As children we NEED these areas in order to thrive and be the FUTURE of the planet.
As some of you are aware I am a Junior Ambassador for Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust; who submitted a full response to the Black Country plan calling for the protection of sites with high ecological value from development.
Please read the links below for more information.
I will also be contacting our local MP Wendy Morton to see if she can support us.
Links:Planning for the future of wildlife in the Black Country | The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country (bbcwildlife.org.uk)
Draft Black Country Plan Published | The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country (bbcwildlife.org.uk)
The Black Country Plan Consultation | The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country (bbcwildlife.org.uk)
The Black Country Plan Consultation | The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country (bbcwildlife.org.uk)
Planning for the Future.pdf (bbcwildlife.org.uk)
Standing up for Wildlife, Planning and Advice | The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country (bbcwildlife.org.uk)
Goal 3 - The natural environment is at the heart of planning, policy & decision-making | The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country (bbcwildlife.org.uk)
Draft Black Country Plan 2039 (Regulation 18) Consultation (dudley.gov.uk)
