Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, will outline his views on the challenges facing the countryside in a major speech hosted by the Campaign to Protect Rural England [1] in Sheffield on Friday 14 November. 

Nick Clegg’s speech will be given at the Cutlers’ Hall, Church Street, Sheffield at 2.15 pm on Friday 14 November before an invited audience.  Journalists are welcome to attend – please contact CPRE’s press office in advance on 020 7981 2880.

The speech comes as CPRE’s debate on its own vision for the countryside in 2026 – the organisation’s centenary year – draws to a close.  Founded in 1926 in response to the scourge of urban sprawl and ribbon development, CPRE continues to fight for sustainable development which safeguards the countryside and improves the urban environment. 

CPRE’s Chief Executive, Shaun Spiers, will set the scene for the speech, which will be followed by a question and answer session, with a contribution from Pam Warhurst, Board member of Natural England.  The event will be chaired by Dr. Anne Robinson, CPRE’s national Vice Chairman and Vice President of CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire.

Shaun Spiers commented:

‘As the recession bites across Britain the countryside faces an uncertain future. Climate change, housing expansion, population growth and demands for new transport and energy infrastructure, as well as acute pressure on farming and rural communities, all add up to a major agenda for change. 

‘How can we make sure the distinctive character and needs of rural areas are not overlooked? How can we redesign housing policy so that new housing meets needs rather than promotes speculative investment? These are the some of the questions we have been considering following the launch of our debate on the future of the countryside last year with a major speech by David Miliband when he was Secretary of State for the Environment, followed earlier this year by a contribution from David Cameron.

‘We look forward to hearing what Nick Clegg has to say on these issues so that we can continue to build a new consensus on the kind of countryside we would like to hand on to future generations.’

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NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk

2. CPRE published a discussion pamphlet 20:26 Vision: What future for the countryside? on 26 February 2008.  This contains a provocative paper Towards a vision for the countryside which set out one possible future to stimulate debate within CPRE and with the public. The 20:26 Vision pamphlet also reproduced the speech by David Miliband MP, entitled A Land Fit for the Future.

On 1 October, following the speech given by the Rt Hon David Cameron MP, CPRE published 20:26 Vision: Communities and the countryside.  This contains and explores the relationship between social value – the theme of his speech – and CPRE’s traditional focus on landscape.