Where's the good will?

Last month the EC Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom spoke on the subject of environmental standards, 'Good will and voluntary agreements are based upon a reinforcement of dialogue with industry...public awareness must be high...Jf good will and voluntary agreements on environmental standards bear no fruit, the introduction of stricter legislation at EU level is unavoidable.

Southern Water Services Ltd's (SWS) plan to extend the sewage works at Foreness and Longnose reef fails in compliance with over 40 articles of Parliamentary Planning Guidelines and the TDC Local Plan. Foreness Environmental Action (PEA) is burdened with 38 other key issues in its opposition to the plan that fails to provide the best of new works available. It continues on with certain health and environment hazards.

The land at Foreness is open space for recreational use of residents and tourists. Recommendations (13 in number) by the Marine Conservation Society for higher quality standards for coastal and marine waters are glossed over. Longnose reef forms part of four designated nature conservation sites having so-called legal protection. English Nature reports that biodiversity in the Thanet bays is on a knife edge.

In the FEA's deliberations with SWS, TDC, KCC, DEFRA and the Environment Agency voluntary agreements had no meaning. Mme Wallstrom's waffle is pie-in- the-sky and leaves us hanging on with a nebulous pledge for stricter legislation for our well-being. And with a plan for a sewage works fit for the victorian era.

Whilst the FEA members and its officers provide the high public awareness, where is the goodwill?

Foreness Environmental Action

Secretariat: 34 Clarence Avenue, Margate CT9 3DR

06 March 2002