Candidates representing North Staffs Green Party in this week’s county council elections have joined a national charity in calling for parks and green spaces across Staffordshire to be protected.
The candidates standing in nine wards across Newcastle-under-Lyme have given their support to the Parks Protector Pledge set out by Fields in Trust in their manifesto Pledging to Protect Our Parks and Green Spaces.
In their manifesto Fields in Trust say that over the past difficult year parks and green spaces have been ‘a vital lifeline’ for many people, adding that they will also be ‘an essential part of our recovery’ from the pandemic.
A spokesperson for North Staffs Green Party said, “as they struggled with the challenges of three lockdowns, homeschooling and economic uncertainty many people have drawn comfort from spending time outside in their local park”. Adding that this “has been particularly important for people who do not have access to a private garden”.
Despite their importance to people’s wellbeing Fields in Trust write that parks continue to be “under threat and it is up to all of us to stem the tide of disappearance and decline”, adding “we believe that everyone should have the right to enjoy and benefit from local parks and green spaces”.
In their manifesto for Staffordshire the Green Party commit to working to protect green spaces including the former Keele Golf Course and Cannock Chase. The party are also working on a ‘rewilding’ project, beginning with a small site in neighboring Stoke-on-Trent. It is intended that the project will be extended to other suitable locations around the county.
The North Staffs Green Party spokesperson said, “we have consistently called for green spaces across the county to be valued more highly and following the election we will be calling on Staffordshire County Council to join Liverpool City Council in pledging to protect all their parks and green spaces forever ensuring they will not be built on”.
The Fields in Trust Parks Protectors Pledge asks parties to support six key priorities in relation to parks and green spaces. These are to: value parks and green spaces, champion their important contribution to community life, advocate the protection of parks and green spaces, endorse their legal protection, encourage adequate provision of parks and green spaces and support community involvement and volunteering withing parks and green spaces.
The North Staffs Green Party spokesperson said, “parks are an essential part of our communities, everyone has memories of playing there as children, maybe taking out own children there or just relaxing in the peace and quiet they provide”, adding that “as a party we are committed to protecting the county’s parks and green spaces for future generations”.