p01 cover.qxd - Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

Living landscapesThe fictional rabbits of Watership Down madeone part of our local landscape famous, but anew plan aims to help protect more of theborough’s natural habitats.The Living Landscapes Strategy sets outhow the council will prioritise its efforts tosecure greener developments, improve thewildlife value of its parks and open spaces,promote public participation in conservationwork and work in partnership with otherCommunitiesgo greenerSince the Greening Campaign initiativewas unveiled last autumn, areas in theborough have already come forward tolaunch their own individual projects.The campaign supports and guideslocal communities to come together towork as a team towards improvingthe carbon footprint in their local area.In July, Sherborne St John became thefirst area to launch their campaign.This was quickly followed by areas suchas Tadley, Chineham and Upton Greystarting their own campaigns under theinitiative. The council is keen for otherareas in the borough to come forwardand get involved in the communityclimate change challenge.organisations such as the Hampshire andIsle of Wight Wildlife Trust.To be launched this autumn, it containsa three-year action plan, as the council’scommitment to playing its part in lookingafter the natural environment and guidingthe day-to-day work of the council’sconservation officers. To find out more seewww.basingstoke.gov.uk/go/landscapesor call 01256 844844.Waving the green flagEastrop Park has been named in the list of best public parks in England and Wales for theeleventh year in a row. The War Memorial Park has also gained the same Green Flagstatus. The scheme, managed by the Green Flag Plus Partnership, represents the nationalstandard for parks and green spaces.Eastrop Park boasts everything from a wildlife area to a children’s paddling pool, boatinglake, play areas, trim trail, tree trail and crazy golf course. While the War Memorial Park,which recently hosted the Basingstoke Live festival, offers visitors an attractive parklandlandscape of mature trees and garden features. It has a play area, BMX and skate park,sports pitches and all weather tennis courts. It also includes a woodland walk, weddinggarden and an aviary.For more information on climate changein the borough or to sign up to theGreening Campaign contact LucyMartins on 01256 845620.BloomingBasingstoke!Basingstoke has received a Silver Giltaward in the South and South East InBloom competition, for the third yearrunning, demonstrating the highstandard of horticulturaldisplays, natureconservation andenvironmentalprotectionin theborough.Council adviceto shout aboutTips on helping to make your area anicer environment for your neighbours,and what to do if they don’t do the samefor you, is available in three new noiseadvice leaflets.In a bid to cut the number of noise nuisancecomplaints, Dealing with Noisy Neighbours,Barking Dogs and Neighbour Noise, are nowavailable on the council’s website. Mostcomplaints about noise nuisance are aboutbarking dogs, slamming doors, loudmusic and parties. The result of these cancause irritation, physical and emotionalstress, sleep disturbance and lead toconflict between neighbours. For moreinformation about noise nuisance visitwww.basingstoke.gov.uk/go/noisenuisance oremail pollution@basingstoke.gov.uk orcall 01256 844844.28 Basingstoke & Deane Today