H.E.A.R.T. Campaign
Government Policy - Brownfield not Greenfield - Funding for Education - Party Politics - Local Development Framework (L.D.F.) Proposals - Ancient Woods - Historic Battlefield - Support - Appreciation
The Tong Valley is at the heart of Pudsey, Fulneck, Holme Wood, and Tong. With untouched views of rambling countryside thehealth of the community would suffer if it went. Aptly named the H.E.A.R.T. Campaign after Holmewood Environement And Residents of Tong. We are looking for volunteers to raise awareness of this appeal. With proposals for an industrial estate and 20,500 over the next ten years action needs to be taken now.
Why is this happening in Tong Valley? The biggest failing in local and central government is rural policy. Do we really need another hand car wash in Bradford situated in Tong Valley, to support the increase in traffic. My advice is "Build it now, why the delay" that is of course if we had babies and mothers sleeping in the street. There are 960,000 empty properties in the UK, a cut in VAT to 5 per cent for all repairs, maintenance and improvements would create a considerable amount of new housing. It even makes economic sense, where such measures have been introduced in other EU countries treasury revenue has increased. The Westfield (or should that been brownfield devlopment) in the centre of Bradford clearly demonstrates that the demand for development is not there. You only need to walk west from Westgate (near John Street Market) and see a swaith of boarded up houses on Tetley Street.
What we are advocating is brownfield not greenfield development. After all talking about fighting climate change is a bit of a nonsence if the only practical way to get out into countryside from places like Holmewood and Pudsey is by car. The biggest failing this scheme has it`s forgotten what the most important purpose of the countryside is to feed people. Currently a third of the pork we eat in this country is imported, of which 70 per cent of which does not meet the welfare standards used in the U.K. The high quality Lane End butchers near Tong Garden Centre demonstrates that putting this land to use for livestock is a suitable way forward. That is why we would urge all of you to buy local, fresh from the farm, instead of a french chicken with a spig of rosemary up its backside and calling it British. Being a one trick pony is not the way to be taken seriously. I personally would rather see a windfarm on the land than a great big slab of concrete that benefits us all by choking our children with carbon monoxide from car fumes.
Money raised from advertising on this page will go directly into the save Tong Valley fund. The key area of funds raised will go into the pillars of the community our children. This is in respect to teaching children in the Holmewood and Tong Communities about the ecology and environment of Tong valley. Special teachers packs will be compiled to enable teachers to integrate it into the curriculum. If young children can be tamed by learning to fish or going for an afternoon bike ride in summer meadows, then the countryside will generate more respect and city centres will get some respite. It`s not such a pipe dream: children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder show a 40 per cent improvement in their symptoms when taking part in activities in green spaces. It`s a tragedy that funding issues of the past decade have led to the Tong Cockersdale Countryside Management Project were allowed to happen, which was designed to pave the way for enhancing the footpaths and bridleways.
Hilary Ben, the Secretary of State For Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, seems to regard Farmland as some sort of theme park, which should make some "positive environmental contribution" - presumably, while some other country grows our food.
You may say it is partly political with the Liberal Democrat Controlled Bradford Council encouriging work to go ahead. Now as you may or may not know these councillors live in places like Shipley, etc not in the Labour Heartland of Holmewood. Political you may say so what can be done about it? As the one sided public inquiry demonstrated in the 1970`s, into the expansion of motorway through Epping Forest; campaiging at times can be a bit like having an ashtray on a motorbike. However, if we do not make a stand then our voice cannot be counted.
Local Development Framework (L.D.F.) Proposals
Having grown up in a rural village and lived near London for 5 years I know what urbanisation is like. It`s pointless complaining to the local councillors as they are opposed to it as much as yourself. The best email contact is: ldf.consultation@bradford.gov.uk . The key points to note from the Local Development Framework for Bradford is that "The Tong Valley exists as an island of relatively static, rural countryside in the middle of the busy and expanding urban settlements of Bradford, Pudsey, Birkenshaw,Gilderstone, and Drighlington. The dramatic contrast between these two types of landscape serves to emphasise the historic character and tranquillity of Tong Valley. However, the proximity of the urban areas also threatens the integrity of the unit of countryside through continual pressures to develop the land at the edges, and the subsequent long-term effects on the viability of the farm".
Do the councillors think it is right to deprive people and horses the benefit of such fragile ecosystem of such habitats like Black Carr Woods, one of the most natural ancient woods in the county. A large semi-natural broad-leaved woodland with a uniform canopy, containing some ancient woodland indicator species such as bluebell (Endymion non-scriptus) and dog’s mercury (Mercurialis perennis). The fact is if you are a single parent in Holmewood, bringing up a child access to a car is sometimes limited. Even if you have a car what is the point of damaging your childrens health even more by driving out of your community to woodland for a stroll.
The report from the LDV also goes on to say "Its location between the conurbations of Bradford and Leeds means greater demand for an economic land use." I fail to understand that destroying an ancient woodland should be justification for economic land use, without exploring the renovation of brownfield sites across the borough first.
The village of Tong is mentioned in the Doomsday Book and is of considerable historical importance, having several important listed buildings, being protected by a conservation area, and containing a historic battlefield site. The surrounding countryside contains some ancient woodlands; and the overall relatively unspoilt historical character of Tong Valley is emphasised all the more because of its position between the modern urban conurbations of Leeds and Bradford. There are also several disused coal shafts and workings, as well as one disused sandstone quarry. Gomersal pit for example, off nutters lane, employed over a 1000 workers in its hayday. Where do the mine workings extend to (As far as Drighlington and the showcase cinema). The battle at Adwalton Moor took place on 30th June 1643 and is considered to beone of the most important battles of the Civil War as well as the most significant historic event that took place in the Region.
We need assistance in our campaign, from photographers; to take pictures of the Tong Valley through to former mineworkers at gomersal colliery, who can shed light on the mineworks over Tong Valley. Assistance from Teachers or local schools would also be helpful with regards to developing a pack for local schools. Basically anyone can help, from raising funds to producing banners. Writing to the environment secretary would also benefit the campaign or better still completing a petition and sending it to parliament.
Thank you for reading this, to show our appreciation, we offer a unique insight into what Google Earth will look like in the future HERE. For children wishing to learn more about ecology please click HERE, its a 3d interactive fun environment, with storyboard presentation for children.
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