Development In Deed

So, this looked like it was some kind of engineering business but now seems to have closed down fairly recently. One can only assume that the development of the aforementioned housing complex is imminent. As it is the nearby wood is not a patch on what it used to be partially due to recreational use and partly due to so called fly tipping of what looks like building waste. So after all perhaps the housing development may actually improve this rather dire situation if and only if preservation of some of the remaining woodland is assured. This approach should be written in some kind of covenant i.e. have legal backing if the development is allowed to proceed albeit seemingly against the wishes of local people.

Development In Deed

So, this looked like it was some kind of engineering business but now seems to have closed down fairly recently. One can only assume that the development of the aforementioned housing complex is imminent. As it is the nearby wood is not a patch on what it used to be partially due to recreational use and partly due to so called fly tipping of what looks like building waste. So after all perhaps the housing development may actually improve this rather dire situation if and only if preservation of some of the remaining woodland is assured. This approach should be written in some kind of covenant i.e. have legal backing if the development is allowed to proceed albeit seemingly against the wishes of local people.

A Wood of My Own!

Contemplating investing in a wood. Figuring there's not much space left on our precious little planet and we have to look after what we have a little better than we have been doing. Its a Big Step! However, it would be nice to put a few theories into practice and in the process create some kind of legacy for future generations to follow in our footsteps. Responsibility of this kind always comes at a price but what nobler goal than the co-creation of a 'safe space' for all species (humans included - under careful supervision) to work towards solving the pressing problems of the day. So, watch this space and keep an eye on a Real World analog! :)

Wood Forsaken

There's a lovely stretch of woodland nearby. Plenty of animal friends call it home. Unfortunately it is already marred by a dump of noxious waste of some kind, something to do with the old mining industry that used to be nearby perhaps? There is also a beautiful ramshackle old building. Ok it is derelict but with a little imagination could be quite spectacular. Apparently it used to be a tile factory? A little pocket of our industrial heritage where nature is trying her (?) best to reclaim the land. However, there is a proposal to build up to 100 houses here. You can see people's objections. Great care would have to be taken to rehouse all the local wildlife were this to be given the go-ahead. The local parish council voted in favour of the development. I personally just wonder if I'll still be able to walk the neighbours' dog. I also do wonder what happens to all the habitat of that wildlife. It seems to be a natural corridor - I've even seen a heron (I think?) there. Massive bird! The green areas around the village are slowly disappearing and traffic is notably increasing in the area as new houses are built. Whilst it is true that people need places to live it is also true that the neighbouring city of Stoke-on-Trent badly needs 'regenerating'. Why not build there? Is it really worth sacrificing so much nature just so that people can live on the edge of a city rather than in it? Isn't this a short-sighted practice as ultimately the city is spreading and spreading forever outwards whilst its core becomes stagnant at best or maybe even derelict? I can't quite decide if this proposal will be 'good' or 'bad' though I don't feel entirely comfortable with the 'democratic' 'consensual' processes usually brought into play in such circumstances. So, I'll be keeping an eye on this one...

Its Tricky Doing a U-ey Down a One Way Street!

Local Environmental Atrocity

This 'footprint' is a photo of the strata of a local environMENTAL catastrophe. The locale is an ex-mining district of a Northern English provincial city. At the bottom of the photo you can see the lowest sub-layer (at least to where I was able to dig with a stick!) which looks like spent lyme ash. Next up is a burned version of the former - sorry, I'm no Geologist. After that is a burning organic matter which seems to be layered upon what the local people commonly call a "slag heap". On top of that is a less destroyed layer of organic matter consisting of twigs, etc. Then finally the top layer consists of leaves.

The two videos below demonstrate the effect of this deadly combination. The smell which exudes from this monstrosity is close to sulphur, which wouldn't surprise me. However, a proper analysis needs to take place of the burning mess.

Unfortunately, for some of us, we have to live down wind of the smoke. Certainly when walking past the heap if I am walking in the prevailing direction of the wind then I always cover my face with something as the smoke makes me cough.

I also noticed that some of the facing trees seem to have been stripped of their bark by something. I'm not sure if this is connected.

There is some local action to try to fix the problem although its quite obviously of limited impact so far. The problem has been around for some time now and nothing has happened. Meanwhile we continue to cough and splutter. I have no idea how the local wildlife is affected but it can't be pleasent for them either?

Making Wind Power, er, Sexy?