In 1933 the area was under threat from building developers. The founder of CPRE Ethel Haythornthwaite (nee Gallimore) persuaded J.G. Graves to buy the land to protect it for the future. This picture is of the ceremony on Blacka at which the site was officially handed over.
Graves said that his purpose was -
'to preserve the moor in its natural state and to prevent any alteration to its current character by building operations or any other form of interference... It is proposed to allow public access to the moor, subject to such regulations for the good order and protection of the estate as may be considered reasonable and necessary... with the condition that the moor will be allowed to remain in its current natural state, with such pathways provided in accord with the character of the estate, as will make the moor accessible to all who desire to visit it for health-giving exercise and pleasure...'.
Being the largest site of its kind the history of Blacka is central to the concept of the green belt, now once again under threat from the Barker report.
It is my contention that the green belt is also endangered by centralised decision making even from conservationists who think they are promoting the countryside. To survive well into the 21st century it is crucial that local people who use these areas should have a special role involved in helping to protect the green belt concept.
When the accusation of "nimbyism" is heard remember which group of people gain most from rubbishing the preferences of local people - the developers themselves. And these are the people who stand to make financial rewards from exploiting the landscape.
No comments:
Post a Comment