Conservation of energy to reduce global warming is assisted by the Braintree District Council's recently introduced recycling collection scheme. This is well
supported in the village and almost 20 percent of household waste was recycled in 2004-5 with a slightly higher target for 2005-6.
Home insulation should be encouraged.
As the technology develops we may see highly efficient light emitting diodes replacing
tungsten filament lamps.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION.
Burning less fossil fuel will save energy and reduce pollution and global warming.
Great Yeldham is under the flight path of many aircraft, mostly as they prepare to land at Stanstead. Residents are concerned at noise nuisance
as well as atmospheric pollution from aircraft. The 'Stop Stanstead Expansion Campaign' web site at www.stopstanstead.com displays maps of
noise 'footprints' of current and proposed development. There are also worries about jet fuel being dumped from aircraft overhead.
Light pollution is a national problem. Street lights should face down so that they do not light the sky overhead any lights not converted should
be.
Some residents are against increasing the number of street lights, though there are some badly lit areas of concern to others. The high cost of
street lights makes it unlikely that many more will be added.
Braintree District Council remove over 97 percent of all Fly Tips within one day. They remove all valueless abandoned vehicles from public land
within 10 days of their being reported (Feb 2006). The target is to remove 95 percent within 4 days by March 2008.
Following an invitation announced in the Four Villages Magazine in spring 2005 some local volunteers came forward to form a local
conservation group for Great and Little Yeldham. Members are interested in conservation and study of wild life as well as getting to know the
countryside through monthly footpath walks.
Braintree and Colchester District Councils jointly fund the River Colne Countryside Project.
The one employee is particularly
concerned with wildlife and access. He organises working parties of volunteers to improve the river and its valley. At present (2005) he is also
drawing up a continuous footpath route along the valley using existing rights of way, to be specially marked as one route.
Wildlife study and conservation is encouraged at the village school. We hope that they will be able to take advantage of an offer by the Parish
Council of access to the nearby site behind the burial ground where they can study its return to nature.