Campaign to Protect Rural England RSS News

Urban regeneration undermined by greenfield development says new report

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:01:01 GMT

A groundbreaking study published today (Wednesday) by countryside campaigners, CPRE, demonstrates that an excess of greenfield land with planning permission can render brownfield development unviable.

Why support local food: National campaign comes to Penrith

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:31:28 GMT

An innovative new project is set to explore the benefits of local food to the local community, economy and the countryside around Penrith. The project, part of a national initiative led by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), will support the local community to map their local food network, or ‘food web' in and around Penrith.

Countryside at a Crossroads - A blanket speed limit or a million new speed signs?

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:01:00 GMT

An unplanned consequence of the Government’s new Road Safety Strategy could be a million new speed limit signs in the countryside, according to analysis by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).

Bringing people together over local food: national campaign comes to St Austell

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:15:27 GMT

An exciting new project is set to bring people together to explore the benefits of local food in and around St Austell. The project, part of a national initiative led by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), will support the community in investigating their own local food network or ‘food web’, and its impact on the community, and the economy and countryside of the area.

Why support local food? National campaign comes to Otley

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:21:57 GMT

An exciting new project is set to bring people together to explore the benefits of local food in and around Otley. The project, part of a national initiative led by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), will support the community in investigating their own local food network or ‘food web’, and its impact on the community, economy and countryside of the area.

Will Dr Beeching be turning in his grave?

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Over a million people across England could gain access to the rail network, if the recommendations of a new report due out on Monday 15 June are taken up by the Government and regional bodies. The vision, Connecting Communities – Expanding Access to the Rail Network, published by the Association of Train Operating Companies, has been strongly welcomed by the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Government must listen to local people if planning is to be democratic

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:33:40 GMT

If planning is to be democratic the Government must listen, and respond to, the concerns of local people. This is the view of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) as the Government prepares to publish a plan setting out the future for the South West region shortly. An earlier draft of the plan attracted a record 35,000 responses.

Progress on brownfield reuse but Green Belt loss continues

Thu, 28 May 2009 10:26:38 GMT

Land use change figures published by the Government today (Thursday) show that 78% of homes were built on brownfield last year. CPRE welcomed the continuing progress in making better use of existing developed sites but were alarmed at continuing building within the Green Belt and in areas of high flood risk, despite Government commitments.

Bristol and Bath people asked: what future do you want for your Green Belt?

Wed, 27 May 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Countryside campaigners CPRE are today (Wednesday) launching a survey on the future use of the Green Belt, the countryside surrounding Bristol and Bath. The survey is being carried out by Sustain. Local MPs are encouraging people to participate.

Liverpool and Merseyside people asked: what future do you want for your Green Belt?

Wed, 27 May 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Countryside campaigners CPRE, in conjunction with Myerscough College are today (Wednesday) launching a survey on the future use of the Green Belt, the countryside surrounding Liverpool and covering most of Merseyside.

Londoners asked: What future do you want for your Green Belt?

Wed, 27 May 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Countryside campaigners CPRE are today (Wednesday) launching a survey on the future use of the Metropolitan Green Belt, the countryside surrounding London. The Mayor of London is encouraging people to respond to the survey.

Why support local food? National campaign comes to Ledbury

Thu, 21 May 2009 16:22:40 GMT

An innovative new project is set to explore the benefits of local food to the local community, economy and the countryside around Ledbury. The project, part of a national initiative led by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) , will support the local community to map their local food network, or ‘food web’ in and around Ledbury.

England can be a greener and even more pleasant land

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:01:00 GMT

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) today (Monday) sets out an inspiring and optimistic vision for the future of the English countryside, our greatest national asset. 2026 – A Vision for the Countryside describes the countryside CPRE wants to see in 2026, the charity’s centenary year.

South East Plan: Better regional strategy at last, but can the environment cope?

Wed, 06 May 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Countryside campaigners, CPRE, expressed delight today (Wednesday) at the decision by Government to adopt a lower housing target for the region in the final version of the South East Plan. This is a major decision for the Government which has taken a year longer than expected to respond to the consultation on proposed changes to the draft Plan.

Planning for prosperity should have the environment at its heart

Tue, 05 May 2009 17:00:43 GMT

Responding to the publication today (Tuesday) by the Government of a new policy Planning for Prosperous Economies, CPRE warns that the draft policy could foster indiscriminate growth at the expense of the environment and countryside.

Budget 2009 - Green Around The Edges

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:08:33 GMT

Commenting on the Budget statement by the Chancellor, Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP, Ben Stafford, Head of Campaigns at CPRE, said:

‘This Budget contains some welcome green measures, although most are pretty limited in scale, reflecting the very tight financial straitjacket Mr Darling finds himself wearing. Much more ambition will be needed to deliver the green economy of the future.’

The Budget: Green shoots, or greenwash?

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:30:00 GMT

‘Promises of a “Green Budget” must be backed up with action if they are to be anything more than greenwash. So far, the Government’s rhetoric has run well ahead of its record, with just 7% of the UK’s economic stimulus package categorised as “green”, little more than a fig leaf to hide the Government’s environmental modesty.'

Why Support Local Food? National Campaign Comes to Haslemere

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:44:06 GMT

An innovative new project is set to explore the benefits of local food to the local community, economy and the countryside around Haslemere. The project, part of a national initiative led by the Campaign to Protect Rural England, will support the local community to map their local food network, or ‘food web’ in and around Haslemere.

Aiming at the Right Targets? CPRE Response to Conservative Housing Plans

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:23:37 GMT

‘The Conservative commitment to scrap unrealistic top-down housing targets makes sense, as does their strong support for the Green Belt. But the challenge to density guidelines is alarming. Relaxation of these guidelines would risk unleashing a wave of development in the very Green Belts and countryside the Conservatives are pledged to protect.’

This was the response of Kate Gordon, Senior Planner at CPRE, at the publication by the Conservative Party of their Green Paper on housing policy, Strong Foundations.

Green Groups Launch Legal Battle Against Heathrow Expansion

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:49:23 GMT

Leading green groups, together with local councils and residents’ groups, today launched a legal challenge against the government’s controversial decision to expand Heathrow airport.

The thirteen organisations backing the challenge – representing millions of people - will argue that the consultation process was flawed and that the decision was irrational.