Campaign update

Leading the way
CPRE has developed a new action pack called Unlocking the landscape, a step-by-step guide to enable a community to produce their own Community Landscape Character Statement. Unlocking the Landscape contains a complete methodology on how to assess local landscape character.

Local CPRE branches are now using the methodology to help communities produce their own character statement.  Events are being organised to engage local communities in surveying their local landscapes.

Local action
CPRE Hampshire has been one of the first branches to use the Unlocking the Landscape action pack. Volunteers used it to assess the character of the landscape around the village of Chilbolton. Abi Jarvis, a student at Winchester University, has been working with CPRE Hampshire. She finished her work in April 2006. Many positive ideas came from the exercise including extending the conservation area, tree preservation orders, the maintenance of the chalk downlands and improvements to the footpaths.

Survey of market towns
As part of our countryside character campaign, we surveyed 120 market towns around the country in order to investigate their local character and distinctiveness. We released the survey results in March 2004.

Sharing best practice
Also as part of this campaign we have published an illustrated booklet, Lie of the Land, which defines countryside character and describes how recent policy developments can be used to protect it. We have also produced a campaign briefing and case studies, Campaigning for Countryside Character, showing how CPRE branches have already worked to enhance the character of their local landscape.