Stop 3000 Trucks

17/07/2026

The Big Butterfly Count 2026 Starts Today!

As we await any news and prepare for a possible appeal from the applicant, we’d like to remind everyone to enjoy the beautiful piece of countryside we’ve been fighting to help save. And what better excuse to visit the setting of the Dogsmouth Brook and the Stratford arm of the old canal, than to go counting butterflies…

The Big Butterfly Count is a UK-wide survey organised by Butterfly Conservation. It’s aimed at helping to assess the health of the UK’s environment simply by counting the number and type of butterflies (and some day-flying moths) seen, and takes just 15 minutes. It is open to anyone, of any age, in any part of the UK - towns, cities or the countryside, between now and August 9th.

Take a stroll along the old canal or through the meadows alongside the brook, where many different types of butterfly can be seen right now.(All photos show here were taken in this area- most were taken over the past week.)

Since we launched our campaign, the top western part of the site - though not accessible - was found to be a priority habitat for an exceptional number of invertebrates, including butterflies and several rare bee species. This area, along with a lower section of the Dogsmouth Brook, has since become a designated Local Wildlife Site. The destruction of this valuable and picturesque local landscape is one of the reasons why the Strategic Planning Committee voted overwhelmingly to refuse the application.

Enjoy finding a nice spot in our local countryside and get butterfly counting! There’s an app you can download to share your results with Butterfly Conservation. Details on the link below. (And if you get the chance please share any pics here too….!)

https://butrfli.es/3SVFepj

10/07/2026

Getting Our Ducks in a Row….

Whilst we celebrate the Strategic Planning Committee’s vote on 30th June to refuse the application for the proposed development at Furtho Pit, we are well aware that our fight may not be over. Although this decision is a significant step forward, it may not be the end of the process. The applicant may choose to appeal. We are already preparing for that possibility.

If an appeal is lodged, we intend to work closely with our parish councils, our ward councillor, and our MP, Sarah Bool, to help the Strategic Planning Committee defend their decision. Should that moment come, we will once again be asking for your support, and we know how much strength this community can bring when it stands together.

In addition to thanking all local residents and Parish Councils who have so fervently supported this campaign, we are also grateful to the consultants whose expertise strengthened our case for refusal:
Dr Richard Hoggett (Heritage), Peter Radmall (Visual Impact), Bruce Bamber of Railton (Traffic), Harvey Rodder of Watres (Hydrology), and especially Dominic Woodfield (Ecology), who also spoke extremely eloquently on our behalf at the Committee meeting.

We are also grateful to Lisa Foster of Richard Buxton Solicitors, whose strongly worded letter to the WNC Planning Officer the day before the Committee meeting helped ensure key issues were clearly set out.

We remain committed to protecting this rural landscape and the character of our villages. Thank you for everything you have done, and for continuing to stand with Stop 3000 Trucks.

Stop3000Trucks.org

03/07/2026

That’s a better headline…

A committee goes against the recommendation of planning officers after 3,500 objections.

03/07/2026

Sharing this petition again, which was set up by the Community Planning Alliance and is asking for restrictions on erecting huge warehouses close to homes. It’s now reached over 10,000 signatures, which means the government will have to respond.
At 100,000 signatures it will be debated in parliament. There must be so many people around the country who would sign this if they were aware of it, it just needs sharing widely (and signing please if you’ve not already).

The visual impact and proximity of warehouses to homes, especially in Cosgrove, was one of aspects that the Furtho Pit application was rejected on. If regulations had been in-place already about proximity of these units to homes, this ridiculous application made not have been viable in the first place.

We want the government to include in its revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that the building of B8 warehouses and the 24/7 operation of such megasheds will not be permitted within 500 metres of residential properties.

01/07/2026

For anyone who has not seen it, yesterday's SPC meeting can be viewed here:

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

01/07/2026

Statement from all of us at the Furtho Development Objection Group:

✊WE DID IT!

Yesterday, the Strategic Planning Committee voted to REFUSE the application.

This is a huge moment for our communities and a powerful reminder that when local people come together, their voices really can make a difference.

To the 3,400+ people who submitted objections, thank you. Every objection counted.

To everyone who covered many miles delivering leaflets, worked tirelessly organising fundraising events, donated to our Crowdfunder, stood in the blazing heat with placards, shared our posts, spoke to friends and neighbours – thank you! A special mention must go to Caz Tricks for her unwavering support and the many, many shout-outs on Stony Radio, helping us spread the word far and wide. This campaign was built on the passion, determination and generosity of ordinary people who care deeply about where they live.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to the five experts who generously gave their time and expertise, strengthening our case. Your evidence helped ensure the facts were heard. In particular, we have to thank Dominic Woodfield, our ecology expert, who spoke at the Committee meeting and has been absolutely fantastic throughout our campaign.

A special thank you goes to Old Stratford Parish Council and Cosgrove Parish Council for their unwavering support throughout the campaign, both financially and through their detailed objection letters, and for speaking so powerfully on behalf of their communities at yesterday’s Committee meeting.

We would also like to thank Stony Stratford Town Council and Deanshanger Parish Council, whose representatives also spoke passionately and effectively on behalf of their residents.

A huge thank you to our Ward Councillors - Ian McCord, who has supported us every step of the way, and who’s speech at the Committee was nothing short of a masterpiece - and Ivan Dabbs, who, since being elected last year, quickly recognised the strength of feeling against this application and gave us his support.

Thank you also to our MP, Sarah Bool, who spoke so knowledgeably and passionately on our behalf at the Committee meeting.

Finally, thank you to the members of the Strategic Planning Committee. They asked searching questions, carefully considered the evidence from all sides and ultimately reached the right decision.

This has never been about saying “no” to development. It has always been about standing up for our communities, our countryside, our roads, and ensuring that decisions of this scale are properly scrutinised.

We recognise that this may not be the end of the process. The applicant may choose to appeal, and we don’t yet know what will happen next. However, we firmly believe the evidence against developing this site is compelling, and we sincerely hope the Council will continue to protect this important area for the benefit of current and future generations.

Yesterday showed what people power looks like. This victory belongs to every single one of us.

Thank you for believing in Stop 3000 Trucks, supporting us and standing with us.🙏

30/06/2026

GREAT NEWS The application was overwhelmingly voted against !! 🎉🎉🎉

Refused on Ecology (Local Wildlife Site), Local Visual Impact and non-sustainable transport.

We don’t know yet if there will be an appeal.

Thank you all for coming today you’ve been amazing! ❤️

30/06/2026

GREAT NEWS The application was overwhelmingly voted against !! 🎉🎉🎉

Refused on Ecology (Local Wildlife Site), Local Visual Impact and non-sustainable transport.

We don’t know yet if there will be an appeal.

Thank you all for coming today you’ve been amazing!

Now to the pub…

30/06/2026

Just a reminder of the corner of countryside that we have been fighting to save. We can only hope that WNC Strategic Planning Committee consider this landscape, wildlife and heritage as precious as we do.