On Friday 25th March, climate activists marched through Newcastle-under-Lyme to demand the borough council builds sustainability into its forthcoming local plan.
The event was part of a nationwide day of action organized by the Fridays-For-Future, who have been working to empower young people to campaign on climate justice issues since 2018.Protesters from the YouthStrike4Climate-Stoke group marched from Castle Walk Square to the council offices and held a rally in nearby Queen’s Gardens.
As part of the day’s protest activity, they delivered an open letter to the leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council Simon Tagg.
In the letter they criticize the council for having an environmental strategy that lacks effective governance and for failing to meaningfully engage with the community.
The protest took place as plans emerged for almost 3000 new homes to be built across the borough over the next five years as part of the council’s local plan which has been in development for three years.
As part of this plans have been put forward to develop green spaces in the borough including the former Keele Golf Course and the land adjacent to Bradwell Hospital. Members of the residents’ groups set up to oppose the development plans took part in the climate march.
In the open letter sent to the borough council the YouthStrike4Climate activists called for climate justice to be made central to the forthcoming local plan and for a committee of residents to be set up to facilitate consultation on all major projects.
At the time of publication, the borough council had not made an official response to the open letter.