Rural counties under threat by urban sprawl
STEPHEN FRANKLIN FOUGHT OFF COVID-19 – WITH SOME ALARMING SYMPTOMS – AT HOME IN MARCH 2020. HE’S SINCE BECOME ONE OF THE UK’S TOP PLASMA DONORS, HELPING OTHERS
HOUSE building is an issue that raises passions and I am passionate about it. What is it about the peninsula that makes it so special, its unique qualities, a Mecca for visitors? Certainly not an unending townscape...
The very essence of rural Devon and Cornwall is under threat from urban development. There are many factors that need to be debated and resolved.
In the past, much damage was done to coastal areas as a result of poor planning decisions and I now have the impression we are at a tipping point.
Much of the new-build ‘affordable’ housing is bought by middle-income people from elsewhere for second homes.
It is alleged that prospective house building is pre-emptively purchased by city councils from far afield in order to solve their own housing problems. Especially in Cornwall, one is often distracted by a skyline of wind farms.
Of course, a vibrant economy is probably in the interests of everyone.
I have the impression that many think the peninsula will be ‘improved’ by attracting more commerce and manufacturing.
It is recognised that the area has important mineral deposits that may be a key to a sustainable future and this will need sensitive handling.
I believe that in areas of outstanding beauty the emphasis must always be to cherish and preserve those qualities that can be enjoyed by everyone.
This means very careful oversight of any planned concrete development, strong support for the rural and fishing economies and better ways of generating and conserving electrical energy.
I always remember a quote from my mother, brought up in poverty in the East End of London but passionate about the countryside and with my father moved their young family down to Devon... “Though every prospect pleases, and only man is vile” – Reginald Heber.
John Gibson Wembury, Devon
“THE first symptoms started in lockdown one,” says Stephen Franklin, 55. “I was working when my lips went numb. I went straight home to isolate for ten days with my partner who also tested positive for Covid-19.”
Stephen, a former Army helicopter co-pilot and firefighter from Hall Green in Birmingham, had many of the usual symptoms: he lost his sense of taste and smell, and had a sky-high temperature. But, he recalls, “I had hypersensitive skin too. I was burning all over – I couldn’t bear to shower.”
As his fever raged, his partner wanted to call an ambulance, but Stephen opted to fight the virus at home.
After he’d recovered, Stephen saw an advert online from NHS Blood and Transplant, calling for people to donate plasma to help others recover from the virus. “I’ve always been a blood donor, so it was a no-brainer. I wanted to help,” he says.
ANTIBODIES
Blood plasma makes up about half of your blood volume. After your body has overcome a virus, it contains antibodies that help fight infection.
The NHS is now collecting blood plasma for use in scientific research and possible treatments for coronavirus. “We need men to donate, because they are more likely to have high enough antibody levels,” says Professor Dave Roberts, associate director of blood donation at NHS Blood and Transplant. To date, more than 375,000 people have offered to donate plasma.
Stephen attended a clinic in Birmingham, where some of his blood was taken, the antibody-rich plasma removed and the blood returned to his body. “It’s not hard to donate,” says Stephen. “You just sit there eating biscuits!”
Stephen has now donated 16 blood plasma times. “I’d love to get to 20 before my antibodies get too low,” he says.
More than 375,000 people have offered to donate plasma
MOBILE phone coverage in some of the most rural areas of Devon and Somerset is set to be improved under a £1 million scheme.
Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) has launched the roll-out of its Mobile Booster scheme, aimed at small businesses and households in rural communities which have inadequate coverage, have access to only one provider, and who are currently struggling with connectivity.
The initiative, which is being funded through the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership’s (HotSW LEP) Growth Deal, will offer vouchers worth £800 to enable selected premises to purchase a wireless mobile signal booster in order to improve their 4G coverage.
Data from
Ofcom states that
23,000 premises across the Devon and Somerset area are 4G “not-spots”, meaning they lack adequate coverage.
The Mobile Booster project aims to upgrade 4G coverage within homes and businesses in order to improve connectivity and the ability to make voice calls. The programme will focus on small business connections and will target those premises which have no adequate coverage from any operator or only one operator.
Work will begin this month and the aim is to install 1,250 systems by February 2022. The project is receiving £1 million from the HotSW LEP Growth Deal with the Government.
The LEP’s total Growth Deal is worth £590 million, including £239 million from Government and £351 million match-funding.
Over the lifetime of the Growth Deal, 2015 to 2021, HotSW estimates the investment will create up to 26,930 jobs and 18,242 homes.
The scheme will run alongside the current work of CDS to improve broadband connectivity in the hardest to reach areas of Devon and Somerset.
Councillor David Hall, Somerset County Council Cabinet member for Economic Development, Planning and Community Infrastructure, said: “A lot of people take 4G coverage for granted, but some people in rural parts of our region still struggle for decent coverage. This scheme aims to level that up in some of the ‘notspot’ areas.
“This will have a positive impact on all premises selected for the scheme.”
Cllr Rufus Gilbert, Devon County Council cabinet member for economy and skills, said: “This initiative will help reach businesses and residents who are currently struggling with a poor 4G mobile signal. For those working remotely it can help increase their productivity.”
Karl Tucker, chair of HotSW LEP, said: “The Mobile Booster scheme will support the hardest to reach areas, benefiting small businesses and residents, making it easier to work from home.”