GGG Cllr Catherine Young attended 'virtually' the GBC Executive Meeting on Thursday 24th February, with particular interest in the progress on the response to the Petition: 'Make Guildford Pesticide- Free'. This had been debated at December 7th 2021, full Council Meeting. Having spoken in support of the petition, Catherine was keen to check what action was being taken. Considerable progress and a strong commitment was apparent from the officer's report.
Catherine raised the issue that there is still no inclusion of the reference to clearance of areas to use for SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space) which developers must provide to mitigate any impact on the Thames Basin Heath SPA if their sites are within the specified boundaries. Glyphosate is used to clear these areas, before the sowing of wildflower seed. Catherine secured a commitment from the Council Leader, Joss Bigmore, to look at how this could be conditioned going forward as part of the planning approval process. Follow this link to the documents and the webcast - item 7:
And GBC's information:
