1950s

It took two decades for CPRE’s campaign for National Parks to succeed. Semerwater in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, established in 1954. Photo: © CPRE

1950
CPRE objected to the exemption of farm and forestry buildings from planning control.

1952
CPRE and the Standing Committee on National Parks pressed for the newly designated National Parks to be given planning and financial independence.

1955
A Government circular in response to CPRE pressure accepted the need for strongly protected Green Belts around England's largest towns and cities, and encouraged their establishment up and down the country.

1957
In its first major motorway case, CPRE campaigned for the M1 to avoid the heart of Charnwood Forest. The road was eventually put in a cutting.

1958
CPRE sought a tightening of controls on advertising hoardings, condemning the proposed voluntary code as inadequate.