The draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) - due to be finalised shortly - fails to recognise recognise the intrinsic value of the countryside outside of National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Green Belts. This equates to an area almost three-and-a-half times the size of Wales now threatened by inappropriate development and urban sprawl.

This unprotected countryside not only includes some of England's most attractive landscapes - see our gallery below - but also provides healthy local food, habitats for wildlife, and tranquillity and open space for wellbeing and enjoyment. Furthermore, it helps mitigate the impact of climate change by absorbing floodwater and storing carbon.

CPRE wants the Government to show it values the countryside as a whole by amending the draft NPPF to include recognition of the importance of the wider, undesignated countryside.

Find out more: download the report or read our press release 

Take action: email your MP and zoom in on your area on our high-resolution map