It would be hypocritical of me as a Labour candidate to say yes, we’re going to plant all these trees, we’re going to build all these parks, but also to say ‘actually I think we’re going to have to go along with NRW’s plans’.

 

Having been to see the area it is clear that such a plan would destroy ancient woodland and the ecosystem around it. I would be urging NRW to pause the proposals and work more closely with the community to find a solution that meets the needs of the community, protects our homes and safeguards our ancient woodlands.

 

I would urge NRW to demonstrate that in the first instance they have taken all reasonable steps to maintain the riverbanks and flow of water by removing any debris which would impact on water levels. I would also ask NRW to provide evidence on why their preferred option of a dam is key to their plans and to provide detailed written evidence of why all other options have been dismissed.

 

It is right that I take on the role as the voice of the community I represent in raising their concerns. As a trade union negotiator I have in-depth experience around campaigning and negotiating around collective issues.

 

When I met the community group I clearly expressed my concern that once that woodland has gone, it’s never coming back.  You can never replace it, and you take away more than just the woodland itself. You take away the history of that community.  And do we really need another piece of concrete, when we could be looking at the alternatives?

 

Listen to the community.  They have a wealth of experience and ideas, and sometimes bodies like NRW make their own assumption about what is right without really listening to the community.

 

Those alternative proposals should be coming to the community.  It’s about bringing NRW to account.  I think that the idea that was proposed came as an end point, rather than involving the community in a conversation from the start.  They could have come to the community, and said ‘there is an issue we need to discuss’, and having that community involvement.  This has been more ‘these are proposals we have, which ones do you accept or reject?’ That’s not how consultation is done.