Hi,

I am a resident of Doncaster who will, hopefully, be attending the Doncaster Climate
Hearing in Bentley on Fri 27th November.

I would like to take the opportunity to put forward a proposal regarding Doncaster's
former 'Earth Centre'.

The Earth Centre was originally conceived as ‘an exhibition of sustainable
development practices and an international centre for related research and
education’. Unfortunately it lost its way and closed down five years ago even though
its fortunes had finally begun to change for the better. The site is still home to
some of the most advanced sustainable technology currently available (near silent
wind turbines, an advanced 'living machine' sanitation system, solar canopy,
extensive allotments & forest gardens, etc.), but it is currently being used by a
corporate 'war-games' company.

I would like to propose that the former 'Earth Centre' should become the UK's
'National Climate Change Centre'.The location is central to the rest of the UK and a
highly sustainable infrastructure already exists. I feel that the Earth Centre
should once again be seen as an international research and education facility with
'Climate Change' as its central remit. The main building could be be used for
research and development, whereas some of the grounds, gardens and the former shop
could be handed over to local community to encourage the development of grass-roots
climate change initiatives. - I do have a number of other ideas which can be
discussed further if Oxfam decide that they may be able to help :-)

Oxfam could invite other major Climate Change charities to support the proposal and
North Doncaster MP - and local climate hero - Ed Miliband could liaise with
Doncaster Council to save the site from the developers. The fact that the buildings
and resources already exist means that a conglomeration of charities could assume
joint management of the centre at greatly reduced costs to all involved - as long as
the political willpower exists.

Friday's meeting would seem to provide a unique and opportune moment to put this
proposal to the people who can help bring it to fruition. Can you help me put the
idea forward?

Kind Regards
 http://welovetheearthcentre.blogspot.com/

We hope to see as many people there as possible attached is a freedom of information
response its crap but not to worry this is a great opportunity and this has to be
done the mayor has held private meetings this week about the earth centre our calls
for a public meeting have been denied we will organise our own as soon as possible.

Doncaster Council
Regeneration Department, Blue Building, 38 – 40 High Street, Doncaster DN1 1DE

Contact: Trish Wood
Tel: 01302 736916
Fax: 01302 737362
Email:  FOI@doncaster.gov.uk
Website: www.doncaster.gov.uk
Date: 24th November 2009

Dear ####

Thank you for your Freedom of Information request dated 30 October 2009 for information about the Earth Centre. Please find below Doncaster Council’s response to the questions you have raised.

1. I would like to know the deadline date for submitting proposals to the DMBC
regarding use of the Earth Centre site. The Council has not formally invited proposals from interested parties for the Earth Centre and hence a deadline has not yet been set.

2. I would like to know the details of any proposals already submitted regarding the
Earth Centre site. The Council has received expressions of interest from a number of parties but as stated above the council has not formally invited proposals.

3. I would like to see a copy of the agreement between the Millennium Commission
and DMBC regarding the transfer of ownership of the Earth Centre site. There was no transfer of ownership to the Millennium Commission. The Council was and still is the freehold owner and granted leases to the Earth Centre; when the Earth Centre entered receivership the leases were disclaimed and vested back to the
Council. I hope that this information is useful to you.

Reviewing any decisions made:
You can ask us to review any decisions made about your request. You do this by writing to:

Doncaster Council
Regeneration Department, Blue Building, 38 – 40 High Street, Doncaster DN1 1DE
Freedom of Information Manager
Council House
Floor 2
College Road
Doncaster
DN1 3DA
e-mail:  FOIAppeals@doncaster.gov.uk

You can apply to the Information Commissioner for a decision about our compliance or
otherwise with the Freedom of Information legislation. Please contact the Commissioner
for details on how to do this – Telephone: 01625 545700, Address: Information
Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF. Website:
 http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/

Yours sincerely
Trish Wood
Trish Wood
FOI Lead Officer
Regeneration Department

You might like to write and comeing up is that public meeting watch this space we still are meeting if you want to come along then contact those involved.

 http://welovetheearthcentre.blogspot.com/
 http://underclassrising.net/content/now.html
 http://yorkshireanarchist.wordpress.com
 http://www.tlio.org.uk/