1940s

Rambling in the countryside became massively popular in the 1930s. Photo: © CPRE

1939 to 1945
CPRE's war-time aims were 'The conservation and development of our agricultural resources and the improvement of the social environment of the rural population'.

The recommendations of a CPRE-convened conference arguing for listing of buildings of special architectural or historic importance were implemented in the Town and Country Planning Act 1944.

1947
The Town and Country Planning Act 1947 achieved many of CPRE's ambitions for planning in the countryside and laid the foundations of the planning system we still use today.

1948
CPRE pressed the Government for adequate publicity for planning inquiries. The Town and Country Planning Ministry agreed to a system of examination of all appeals prior to the inquiry stage, with full publication of cases in the local press.

1949
The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 paved the way for National Parks after CPRE was invited to give evidence-in-chief to the National Parks Committee — created at CPRE's request during a 20-year campaign. The designation of 10 National Parks followed.