In depth
In depth
CPRE commissioned researchers to create a highly detailed new approach to defining tranquillity. By using these findings to create a national tranquillity map, it is possible to assess the likelihood of finding tranquillity in any given locality.
Tranquillity helps the economy
Rural areas rely on tranquillity to attract visitors. According to a recent survey, it’s why 49% of us visit the countryside. In other words, tranquillity directly supports 186,200 jobs and 12,250 small businesses and contributes £6.76 billion a year to our economy (using Government data).
Tranquillity is good for our health
Exposure to nature has been shown to reduce blood pressure, reduce heart attacks, increase mental performance and soothe anxiety. Studies have found that playing in nature has a positive impact on children’s development. And children who visit the countryside are less likely to be obese.
Tranquillity reduces stress
There is convincing evidence that contact with the natural environment plays a huge part in helping people to recover from stress. We know this, too – a recent review of over 100 studies shows that the main reasons we visit natural environments are to escape from the stress of city living and to ‘get away from it all’.
New buildings and infrastructure
New housing consumes more countryside than any other kind of development. Government figures show a greenfield area nearly the size of Leicester vanishes under bricks, mortar, concrete and asphalt each year – in a country which is already one of the most heavily built up in the world.
New roads
The noise from a busy road can extend over miles of countryside and traffic levels are constantly increasing. The Government has allocated billions of pounds to widen motorways, make single carriageway roads into dual carriageways and build new bypasses over the next decade – including in designated landscapes.
More planes and runways
Air traffic in the UK has trebled over the past 20 years and is forecast to continue to increase by around four or five per cent each year.
Increased light pollution
Tranquillity is not just about noise – it also covers light. Dark, star-filled night skies are an important part of tranquillity, but we are lighting these up more and more. Between 1993 and 2000, light pollution increased by 24% and the amount of truly dark night sky fell from 15% to 11%.
Inadequate funding for land management
Farmers are finding it difficult to maintain land in a way which protects and enhances the experience of tranquillity.
