This is a press release from The Independent Media Society, and I should add any local group who sends me stuff for publication will get my full cooperation. I looked at the various statistics and noticed the counter I put on the this site a few months ago has had a lot of hits and as it went up by about 2,000 last week, so I feel I have an added responsibility to the local community.
Pic. Norman ThomasThanet stands in danger of being “developed to death” and needs a new “green deal” to give people jobs without damaging the environment,
This is the controversial proposition which will be debated at a crisis meeting to be held in Ramsgate on Friday December 12 at 7.30pm at which Dr Caroline Lucas, leader of the Green Party will be the key speaker. Caroline Lucas is also a member of the European Parliament for the South East.
The meeting, called by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, will discuss the biggest environmental issues facing the isle including the China Gateway proposal, the giant greenhouse development Thanet Earth and the plans for Manston Airport.
Pic. Dr Caroline LucasFilm-maker Norman Thomas who is chairing the meeting said: “Thanet is currently facing some of the biggest developments in its history, bringing huge amounts of building and extra traffic.
“We run the risk of losing hundreds of acres of green space and prime farmland.
“If these developments go ahead, they will change the face of the isle forever, with incalculable consequences for all the people living here now and for generations to come.”
Mr Thomas added: “We’ve got to debate these issues now and look at the alternatives. We all want jobs, but will these projects really bring jobs in any significant numbers? Many fear we will simply find ourselves in an over-built, traffic-congested mess."
Supporters of the Green party argue that in the wake of the present national financial crisis a “new green deal” is needed which will mean the Government investing in providing “sustainable” jobs for the future.
Said Mr Thomas: “We’ve got to started exploring the options for new types of jobs in Thanet now. Rather than low-paid warehousing work, we’ve got to look at jobs which arise out of the natural assets of the area and the creative talents of its people.
“Anyone who is concerned about the future of the area should come and put their point of view.”
The meeting will be held at St George’s Hall, Broad Street, Ramsgate at 7.30 pm on Friday December 12th.
For more details telephone Christine Tongue on 01843 604253 or email
inmeds@yahoo.co.uk
