Beautiful countryside the key to better times and living the Good Life – new manifesto launched today

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) [1] 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. 

The Vision – produced after wide consultation [2] – pictures a countryside in 2026 that is used and valued by everyone, helping create a healthier, less stressed nation where people are in tune with the environment and aware of their impact on it.  A beautiful and living countryside, accessible to all, has always been valuable; in tough economic times, and with people facing growing stresses in their lives, it should be priceless.

Shaun Spiers, CPRE Chief Executive, said:

‘There tends to be an unrelenting pessimism that our countryside won’t survive the pressures it faces from built development, climate change and the impacts of globalisation. There is worryingly little confidence that the countryside can actually be improved – that it can become more beautiful and richer in wildlife, with well designed and well planned developments that contribute to both its appearance and its vitality.  But that is our vision and we are confident that with the right political and civic leadership and a consensus on how we should value and safeguard our rural heritage, this vision can be achieved.’

In 2026 – A Vision for the Countryside:

• Successful urban regeneration has contributed to more green space, affordable housing, vibrant neighbourhoods and people-friendly transport.
• Urban populations have re-connected with the countryside through renewed links to surrounding Green Belts and countryside that provide fresh food, recreation, tranquillity and beautiful landscapes.
• Children engage much more with nature and the outside world.  They know where milk comes from and they are free to climb trees, play conkers and get their knees dirty.
• Wild flowers, birds, insects and mammals have returned in a rush of sights, sounds and smells, through widespread environmentally friendly farming practices.
• Over two million high quality homes have been created by 2026 but property is not seen principally as an investment: homes are for living in.
• There is a new focus on quality of life and local distinctiveness that embraces the beauty of our surroundings and local character.
• There is a democratic planning system with more decisions taken locally and environmentally sustainable development. Planning is not just seen as a tool for promoting economic development.
• Energy efficient rural buildings and low carbon communities are commonplace and green energy developments are sensitive to landscape.
  Most of England’s countryside is farmed with farmers valued once more for the food they produce; we eat more local food and we eat better.
• There is more woodland and wetland, and ‘landscape-scale conservation’ benefits wildlife.
• There is less light pollution, and dark skies are protected so more people can see the stars.
• The countryside and rural tranquillity are valued and enjoyed as a huge national asset.

Living the vision:  From Transition Towns and low carbon housing, local food production, inspiring people about nature and the environment, to using small scale renewable energy and pressing for countryside tranquillity – campaigners, farmers, schoolchildren, young parents, teachers and civil society groups are already leading the way. See CPRE media centre for case studies [3].

Jonathan Dimbleby, broadcaster and CPRE Vice President said:

‘A Vision for the Countryside combines the spirit of optimism with a realistic approach of what it will take to get from here to there. What does it mean for people? The countryside is ours and is the place where everyone can be inspired and challenged. In 2026 we hope that everyone will realise that “our national backyard” is crucial to us all: not only is it a place to relax, work, live and play, but as the source of our food with a major role to play in protecting wildlife and meeting the challenge of climate change.’

Shaun Spiers concluded:

‘The British countryside is a great resource for the whole country, essential to our wellbeing and our sense of identity.  Looking ahead to our centenary year, we want the countryside to be protected – and we want to improve it!  CPRE doesn’t often admit it, but, although most of the countryside is lovely, and often breathtakingly so, parts of it are not as beautiful or useful or accessible as they should be.  We want to make it better – and with your help we think we can. 

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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. Since 2007 CPRE has been hosting a public debate about the future of the countryside designed to help shape its own vision for 2026, its centenary year. In March, 2007, Rt Hon David Miliband MP, who was then Secretary of State for the Environment, started CPRE’s national debate when he outlined his vision for land use.  This was followed in May 2008 by a speech by the Leader of the Opposition, Rt Hon David Cameron MP, who spoke of the importance of ‘civil society’ in determining the future of the rural areas.  In November 2008 Liberal Democrat leader, Rt Hon Nick Clegg, MP, spoke about the impact of the recession on rural communities and the housing market.

3. Living the Vision – case studies about people and groups actively engaged with: urban regeneration, low carbon communities, the outdoor classroom, better housing, volunteering, food and farming, community forests and the ‘re-wilding’ of landscapes can be found in CPRE’s media centre.

4. Copies of CPRE’s 2026 – A Vision for the Countryside will be available to the general public from CPRE’s website (www.cpre.org.uk) from Monday 11 May.