Thank you to all those that voted for the Greens in last May's 2023 election.
The next elections are in May 2024 and we could do with your support to raise funds
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/
Can you look past the statistics for a moment and see the coming local elections in Mole Valley as a battle for our beautiful green district? There are three crises that need immediate attention – climate change, cost of living and nature. They are all at breaking point and in need of sustainable policies that support each other.
So, we’re asking residents to back the Green candidate in their ward and so put our alternative sustainable policies at the centre of every decision made by council. We gained a strong second place position last year in two wards - Dorking North and Dorking South. And we are looking to win back in Capel, Leigh, Newdigate and Charlwood. Here, boundary changes in 2023 merged Cllr Lisa Scott's ward with the nearby ward for 2 Lib Dems making it much harder to retain/win.
What vital changes in Mole Valley will Greens be working hard for, if elected?
The more you look at the way MVDC to date has neglected these questions, the more it is essential that Greens are elected to drive through the changes and work towards the vision of a livable, less stressful and more community minded Mole Valley that is so precious to us all.
Mole Valley & Epsom and Ewell Green Party campaigns for Green Party policies and supports local community action in the Mole Valley District & Epsom and Ewell Borough council areas.
We have regular monthly meetings to which all Green Party members are invited and hold frequent public meetings on local issues and Green Party policies.
Please browse this site to discover more about your local Green Party and our events and activities.
Diary Dates
Tuesday 9th April 7:30-9pm - A Pint of Politics - MP Watch - Harnessing and Safe-guarding our Democracy for the Common Good - The Haywain, Dorking Rd, Epsom KT18 7LB
Sunday 14th April - Sponsored Walk of Epsom Common
SPONSORED WALK ACROSS EPSOM COMMON 14 April is cancelled
The ground is far too soggy and muddy to make this an enjoyable walk.
Late April - Cake Sale - details to follow
Late May - Auction - details to follow
Transport Action Network
MVEEGP strongly supports the Transport Action Network's campaign against the government's illegal plans to spend £27billion on a new roads programme. We have donated to their crowdfunder campaign to support their attempt to take legal action to require the government to obey the law; and we urge readers and members to do likewise. To do so, click on "crowdfunder campaign"
Sondes Farm Planning Application Public Inquiry - Green Party comments
Lisa Scott's comments:
1. There is no valid reason to de-designate this land out of Greenbelt classification. This land has a strong boundary and serves a valuable public amenity in regard to access to open spaces and a distinct separation of conurbations. The land creates an important buffer between Dorking and Westcott. It is preventing urban sprawl and should remain as open countryside.
2. Food security in the UK (and worldwide) is becoming an increasingly important matter. Crop failures during 2023 due to severe drought and floods and due to war and unrest have significantly weakened the global production of food. It is vital that productive farmland remains capable of producing food. If removed from productive farmland, the fodder crops grown here will need to be imported from other areas which will increase congestion, air and noise pollution, heavy vehicles and increase the cost of food production.
Chris Crook comments:
3) Climate Change
On 18 June 2019, Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) declared a Climate Emergency and introduced a strategy to help address the ongoing challenge. The Climate Emergency included a commitment to work cross-party within Mole Valley District Council, and with local businesses, land owners, community organisations and residents to make a positively beneficial impact on the environment and biodiversity in the District. This plan to build over 144 dwellings on Greenbelt goes counter to this commitment.
One key commitment is in the area of 'Land Use and Food Systems' where we should "Work with local food producers to promote local organic food suppliers to the community". Building on this farm land will reduce the capacity of Dorking to provide local food. The commitment also states "Require a 20% net biodiversity gain as part of development proposals to improve opportunities for carbon sequestration". This application will create a reduction in biodiversity.
We are in a Climate Crisis and building over 144 houses on this farmland will also help to increase the temperature in the town by not absorbing sunlight / urban heat, increase the traffic pollution levels and greenhouse gases through more traffic jams.
4) Drinking Water and Sewage
This farmland is absorbing the rainwater that falls directly onto it and that water which flows down from the Nower and Leith Hill. It flows underground below Westcott Road towards Dorking West Station where it is pumped up from Dorking's aquifer by Sutton & East Surrey Water Co (SES) and used to supply Dorking residents with the highest quality drinking water.
Building here will result in most of this rainwater being diverted into the overloaded sewage system instead. Climate Change is resulting in the UK becoming more susceptible to flooding and even if ponds are introduced to the development these will probably end up having to discharge into the sewers in times of high rainfall. We will not get that rainwater going into our aquifer, and with the southeast area usually suffering droughts in summer, we must not add to that problem.
The development will be passing its foul water through to Thames Water's Pixham Treatment works. This sewage works cannot handle the current volumes from the town area and there are no plans to improve its capacity. The company is frequently discharging raw sewage into the River Mole, even at times when there is no rainfall. The River Mole is used by local residents and visitors for swimming, bathing, playing, fishing and more. It would be scandalous to permit more sewage output to Pixham plant and put these user's health at risk.
Local residents near Sondes Farm (e.g. Glebe Road) have often experienced problems with sewage backups due to the poor quality of pipework in the area. If you were to increase the amount of sewage going into these pipes then it WILL cause more problems for them. Improving the pipework here will only push the problem nearer to the sewage plant, and will end up with yet more pollution diverted into the River Mole.
Sign the Divest Surrey Petition to end fossil fuel investments. Sign HERE
The Divest Surrey campaign wants a much quicker withdrawal of investment from fossil fuel companies than the Fund seems to envisage, especially now that renewable energy is giving higher returns and are on course to continue their lead. It’s misleading to say ‘it’s all roundabouts and swings’ – it’s global emergency vs a safe planet and productive investment along with millions of jobs that come with the new technology. That’s why we are asking you to sign this petition, and your friends, families, even foes - we’re all in this together!
Sign the petition to stop the oil well in Brockham from injecting posionous radioactive effulent into their wells.
https://tinyurl.com/ProtectDorkingWater
Green Party Fun Quiz Night
Green Party Fun Quiz Night on 30th January 2024 at 7:30pm at the Lincoln Arms, Dorking RH4 1TF by Dorking and Deepdene Stations.
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