The long awaited draft National Planning Policy Framework was published yesterday and the consultation started:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/1951811.pdf

It certainly has 'streamlined' planning guidance for the UK, and will quite rightly face severe criticism from the conservationists due to the heavily one sided approach in favour of…

Yesterday, the UK agreed to sign up to a legally binding agreement for sustainable forest management together with 46 other states, (despite Lord Henley stating on the 17th May that the UK was opposed to the signing to the EU in Brussels). There is a void between decisions for progression by DECC and DEFRA and whilst the government sort this out, the rather…

The fundamental ideas behind the 'Big Society' could not be more welcome in the UK. The UK has an impressive voice in publishing and spouting rhetorical positive ideas across the world - with much of these ideas from UK sources being adopted elsewhere, particularly in EU states - In reality back in the UK this noise is rarely followed up with actual on the ground action. For the last twenty years the UK has steadily slipped down…

Last nights Panorama program on Supermarket domination did not focus, as so many other media reports have, on simply the taste, price and animal welfare aspects of supply and demand together with our unsuppressed appetite for supermarkets; but contained a lot of information with regards the actual damage this domination is causing on the countryside, and those who maintain the countryside and the landscape in…

I love the new Tate installation -Tate Britain Unveils Naked Christmas Tree.

Whilst to many involved within the horticultural and landscaping industries it could be viewed with a sneer and as with so much new art in the UK it will and needs to gain criticism. I personally feel that it celebrates the conical shape of the classic Christmas tree in its own beauty.

The symbolism of…