SUSTAINABILITY

In partnership with the Parish Council, Professor Douglas Bourn has produced a strategy for a Sustainable Dedham. Click on the link below to view a copy of the strategy.

This strategy is the result of dialogue and discussion with community groups and concerned residents about the need to address environmental matters regarding the village.
The strategy makes reference to the following issues:
●    Traffic and Transport
●    Relevant existing policies by Colchester City Council and Essex County Council
●    Dedham Vale National Landscape (Formerly AONB)
●    What Is Meant by Sustainable Development
●    Past Parish Plans
●    Contribution of Dedham Vale Society
●    Essex and Suffolk Pylons Campaign
Further information from Professor Douglas Bourn, d.bourn@ucl.ac.uk. 

POLICIES ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

There are a number of relevant policies produced by Essex County Council and Colchester City Council, they include the following:

This includes how to sign up to programmes on energy reduction, protecting the environment and reducing carbon emissions.

The City Council has a range of policies and programmes including a Climate Emergency Action Plan .

The programmes, policies and activities of Dedham Vale National Landscape

WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT?

The most common definition of sustainable development is that from the Bruntland Report of 1987: 'Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs'

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals launched in 2016 provide the most recent internationally agreed explanation of the importance of sustainable development:

RELEVANT LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS:

PACE Manningtree

Practical Action for the Climate and the Environment (PACE) Manningtree 
This is a is a very active community group

Their Facebook pages also provide a good introduction to their activities:

Dedham Vale Society.

This is a well established body that exists to promote the conservation and protection of the Dedham Vale area. It leads on a number of local campaigns including seeking Dark Sky Reserve status for the Vale.

Essex and Suffolk Pylons Campaigns.

This group exists to campaign against the National Grid plans to construct large pylons through East Anglia.

SUSTAINABLE VISITING.

Planning your visit and travel.

• Before you leave home, plan your visit in advance and work out where you will park if you are driving and what public facilities such as toilets, baby changing, and electric vehicle charge points are available.
• When parking, please use designated car parks and do not block entrances or roads so that emergency services and farm vehicles can access rural areas.
• Wherever possible, please try to use public transport, walk, or cycle.

Staying safe.

• Please check weather forecasts before you leave home and make sure you are prepared for the elements. In an emergency, please call 999.
• Thinking of taking your canoe or paddleboard on the river Stour? Please note a license is required to use the river. All craft must be registered to take to the water on any part of England's canals, rivers, and navigations. Register your craft at www.riverstourtrust.org.
• Only swim, paddleboard, or kayak in open water if you are a competent swimmer. Let someone know where you're going and when you expect to return.
• Find out more water-based safety advice at www.rnli.org.

Respect people and place.

• Pick up litter and take it home with you or deposit into the nearest bin.
• Ensure you don't harm, destroy, or remove any wildlife, trees, plants and rocks as they all form part of the local ecosystem.
• Do not light fires or BBQs, especially during summer months, as these can cause wildfires.

Stick to marked paths.

• Nesting birds and other wildlife can be disturbed if you get too close. Please stick to marked paths.
• Leave any gates you come across on your travels as you found them..
• Do not cycle on footpaths.
• Put your dog on a lead when around crops, livestock, and wild animals.
• Pick up dog poo and take it home with you or deposit in the nearest dog bin.

 

Date updated - 14/02/2025

WAVE check. No errors.