What is the problem?

The pressure for new roads leading to a loss of countryside. Photo: CPRE

Across England the character of countryside near and far, nationally or locally cherished, is threatened with the intrusion of new development. We have produced new maps which show that the area affected by new development stretches far beyond their actual ‘footprint’. This shadow of urban growth or new roads or runways means that with 11% of England already urbanised, 50% is seriously disturbed by the sight, noise, and movement of development. Relatively small expansion of the urban area could intrude upon a whole lot of countryside, unless it is carefully located.

Relentless rate of loss
The new intrusion maps for 2007 show a remorseless loss of undisturbed countryside. From the 1960s to 1990s the total area of England disturbed by the noise and visual intrusion of roads, urban areas and major infrastructure rose from 26% to 41%. In the past 15 years alone another 9% has been blighted. At this rate of loss much of what remains could all but disappear in the next 80 years – within our children’s lifetimes. The picture varies from region to region. For instance, the South East, already growing beyond its capacity, is deeply fragmented with just 30% undisturbed countryside. The North East, the most tranquil region, still has 65% of its area undisturbed, yet has lost an area three times the size of Newcastle upon Tyne in just the past 15 years.

Why is this happening?

The pressures for development are constant. The planning system does its best to reconcile growth with the environment, but is often undermined. Countryside and the wildlife it shelters are not infinite, yet too often these are seen as expendable – to be traded off or ‘balanced’ against the need for new roads, jobs or homes. This ‘balancing act’ leads to constant loss of land and intrusion into areas for miles around. But this loss and its wider effects are not inevitable. National Government and regional and local planning authorities make the policies and decisions which change the countryside. They need to be smarter by steering development towards existing settlements, to find win-win solutions which enhance people’s lives, the economy and the environment. If we lose the undisturbed countryside now, it is lost to us and to future generations.

We value undisturbed countryside
An opinion poll commissioned by CPRE shows people most value the peace and quiet of the countryside.

The qualities which our survey found people valued most were:

Tranquillity, tranquil, calm, solitude, peace and quiet, say 72% of people
Fresh air, say 34%
Scenery, say 20%
Nature, wildlife or flora and fauna, say 19%

YouGov poll, October 2006