Local CPRE successes in 2025
We’re delighted to shine a light on the incredible work our local CPRE groups do — and 2025 was full of inspiring successes. From lobbying for change to protecting green spaces and restoring nature, here are just some of their highlights from the past year.
Whether mobilising communities, organising events and educational activities, or carrying out practical conservation work, CPRE’s local groups play a vital role in protecting and regenerating the countryside near you.
It would take far too long to capture everything they achieved in 2025, but we’ve picked out a selection of highlights. If you’d like to learn more, you can find your local group here.
CPRE Berkshire
The vital importance of bees to our countryside was the focus of CPRE Berkshire’s annual Historical Luncheon for members. The event included a sumptuous lunch, honey tasting and a scintillating lecture on bees and beekeeping by Don Honey.
‘One in every three mouthfuls of food we eat depends on pollinators,’ Don explained. ‘A bee’s job is to collect nectar and pollen to survive, and in doing this it pollinates plants. This is essential for the survival of our countryside,’ he said, adding that ‘bees are the most brilliant and efficient creatures.’
CPRE Derbyshire
Under the guidance of Dr Andy Tickle, CPRE Derbyshire completed the Community Energy Visioning project in the parish of Crich, helping the community explore the renewable energy solutions they would like to see in their area. Their collaboration with Keele University was a particular highlight, with academic expertise helping to shape informed conversations. The active participation and insights of the Transition Crich community group and other residents will continue to guide the vision in 2026 and beyond.
CPRE Derbyshire’s Living Countryside Awards also achieved a record number of nominations, from conservation groups to local businesses, all eager to share their passion for Derbyshire’s countryside. The awards were presented at the AGM by CPRE Chief Executive Roger Mortlock, celebrating the inspiring work taking place across the county.
One of the most exciting developments of the year was the merger of CPRE Derbyshire and CPRE Nottinghamshire into a single charity: CPRE Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Chair John Ydlibi and the team will steer the merger process through 2026, laying the foundations for a new year of campaigning, community engagement and countryside protection across both counties.
CPRE Devon
CPRE Devon had an action-packed 2025. A highlight was a planning workshop, led by independent planning expert Jo Widdecombe, designed to give parish and town councillors the tools and confidence to respond effectively to planning applications. You can watch how it went here.
In October 2025, a 2,700-acre mega solar farm was proposed at Holsworthy Beacon. CPRE Devon continues its ‘Grass, Not Glass’ campaign, opposing industrial-scale solar on productive farmland while promoting rooftop solar solutions that protect landscapes, biodiversity and communities.
CPRE Dorset
In June, CPRE Dorset hosted its planning conference, ‘Net Zero Homes: Can Dorset Do It?‘ The event explored how the county can rise to the challenge of delivering high-quality, affordable homes while cutting carbon emissions to net zero.
Bringing together industry experts, policymakers, developers and academics, the conference showcased how well-designed net zero homes can slash emissions, lower energy bills and dramatically improve living conditions. The conference was opened by CPRE Dorset President Kate Adie and expertly chaired by Andrew Procter, Chair of CPRE Dorset’s Planning Group.
Speakers highlighted pioneering approaches already making a difference, including Bath and North East Somerset’s trailblazing planning policies, the award-winning Hazelmead Bridport Cohousing project and inspiring examples of ‘better than zero carbon’ homes that can be built today. You can watch the conference here.
Friends of the Lake District
Friends of the Lake District welcomed a major victory for nature, in November, after plans for 230 lodges and associated development at Roanhead on the Furness peninsula were refused. Working alongside a coalition of conservation charities and the community group Save Roanhead, the charity opposed proposals that threatened Morecambe Bay and Duddon Estuary and the Sandscale Haws National Nature Reserve.
Westmorland & Furness Council’s Strategic Planning Committee rejected the application, agreeing it would cause harm to wildlife, landscape and public enjoyment. The decision protects a cherished, ecologically vital place and shows the power of communities and charities standing together to defend nature for future generations.
CPRE Hampshire
2025 was a busy year for CPRE Hampshire, from their Magnificent Meadows project — where, throughout the summer, volunteers scythed, raked and baled hay using traditional techniques, creating 47 bales of hay — to celebrating their Choice Awards with the public, sharing the amazing work of their Countryside Award finalists across Hampshire’s green spaces. Rounding off the year on a high note, CPRE Hampshire launched a brand-new series of Hedgecentric free online talks, opening up fresh conversations about hedgerows, wildlife and landscape care, which have continued into this year.
CPRE Herefordshire
CPRE Herefordshire worked with the Wye Catchment Partnership, the Nutrient Management Board, the Malvern Hills National Landscapes Joint Advisory Board, the Environment Agency and many others to help influence environmental and landscape improvement. As part of a much wider alliance including landowners and farmers, CPRE Herefordshire has helped secure £150k for a Wye Catchment Plan and £1m for further investigation and data gathering to fully understand what actions can be most effective in returning the catchment to ecological and environmental good health.
CPRE Hertfordshire
Our friends at CPRE Hertfordshire launched a powerful petition in October, calling on the Government to amend the definition of ‘grey belt’ land in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The response was remarkable, with 42,142 people engaging with the petition. CPRE Hertfordshire plans to keep campaigning for the Government to change its definition of ‘grey belt’ and restore the pre-existing protections of the Green Belt in national planning policy.
CPRE London
It’s been a hugely positive year for CPRE London, starting with their work around the protection and growth of London’s green streets. By growing their Front Gardens Network — supporting people to help their neighbours re-green and de-pave front gardens, running webinars and hosting online networking events — CPRE London has built a thriving community of front garden enthusiasts!
CPRE London’s work to create greener spaces goes far beyond neighbourhood boundaries. Over the winter, the ambitious London Tree Ring project took a major step forward, with 1,450 new trees planted into the ground. This bold vision aims to create a continuous ring of trees, hedges and woodland around the capital, boosting access to nature, strengthening wildlife corridors and helping tackle the impacts of climate change. With eight more demonstrator sites set to be planted this spring, the London Tree Ring is taking root and transforming London’s landscape for the future.
CPRE Norfolk
CPRE Norfolk’s Getting Solar OFF the Land exhibition drew large crowds in November, uniting residents, councillors, farmers, planners, students and campaigners in a day of constructive discussion on renewable energy and landscape protection.
Visitors explored new cumulative-impact mapping of mega solar proposals across Norfolk, research from SolarQ, and a full suite of exhibition boards covering food security, wildlife, landscape character and alternatives such as rooftop and brownfield solar. A standout moment was the spontaneous arrival of Environmental Science students from Easton College, who organised a minibus the day before after spotting the event online. Their enthusiasm and questions helped shape a hopeful cross-generational dialogue. The event gained plenty of interest from the media as well.
If you are interested in the exhibition, the online version is available for wider public access.
CPRE Oxfordshire
Alongside other campaigners, CPRE Oxfordshire successfully fought to protect over 100 acres of Green Belt land from turning into grey belt, dismissing a major proposal to build a vast Science and Technology Park last December. This decision ended nearly a year of uncertainty for the people of Waterstock and neighbouring villages, and protects cherished landscapes for future generations.
CPRE Rutland & Lincolnshire
After CPRE Rutland members voted to expand their area of benefit to include Lincolnshire, CPRE Rutland and Lincolnshire was formed in May. After a difficult period following the closure of CPRE Lincolnshire in 2020, this marks a fresh start for countryside protection in the county.
CPRE Shropshire
In March, as part of the Hedgerow Heroes Project, CPRE Shropshire released a fascinating short film, Life in the Coppice, featuring woodland manager Richard Thomason from Wild About Westhope in Craven Arms. The film explores the ancient craft of coppicing, showing how sustainable woodland management produces stakes and binders for hedgelaying while boosting biodiversity.
Beyond the environmental benefits, coppicing brings huge community value, with volunteers playing a key role in creating and maintaining healthy woodlands. Since its release, this inspiring video has reached over 25,000 people – a testament to the power of connecting people with the countryside.
Watch the film and discover how ancient woodland skills can shape thriving habitats and communities.
CPRE Somerset
In February, CPRE Somerset supported a local campaign to challenge a proposed battery energy storage site. The campaign focused on safety concerns for residents, and thanks to this powerful local effort, Somerset Council rejected the plans. You can see a comment from CPRE Somerset trustee Fletcher Robinson on BBC News here.
Since 2020, CPRE Somerset has given over 350 litter-picking kits to volunteers of all ages across the county. With initial support from National CPRE’s Strategic Collaboration Fund, the project has grown, and CPRE Somerset has built strong links with local SEND schools. Penstone Farm in Cheddar is one of the schools involved, supporting children who don’t suit mainstream schooling. Students use the litter-picking kits in their local area, helping them play an active role in their community.
In April, Transport Champion volunteers and local bus users successfully campaigned for a new trial bus service connecting Wiveliscombe and Wellington. Following a petition with over 1,300 signatures, the service ran for the first time since 2017. You can watch a video of the reinstated bus in use here.
CPRE Sussex
In June, CPRE Sussex brought communities together for the 2025 Tree Festival, celebrating the beauty, value and vital impact of trees on our landscapes and wellbeing. Building on the success of 2024, the festival expanded beyond Brighton & Hove to include the entire Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere, reaching more communities across Sussex than ever before.
Local groups organised an inspiring programme of walks, talks, workshops and creative activities, all united by a shared aim: to highlight the essential role trees play in our environment, from supporting biodiversity to enhancing our everyday lives.
CPRE Sussex trustee Penny Hudd said: ‘Expanding the festival across the Living Coast Biosphere has given more people the chance to celebrate the value of trees. From nature walks and talks to children’s activities, storytelling and music, there really was something for everyone.’ The festival demonstrated that trees are not just part of our landscapes — they are at the heart of thriving, connected communities.
A remarkable year
A huge shout-out to our network chairs and staff who, through chairs’ chats, staff networking meetings, workshops and the Network Assembly, committed 727 hours to meetings in 2025. And that doesn’t include any town halls, topic-based groups or webinars!
It’s been a remarkable year for our local groups and the communities they support. Thank you to everyone involved for their dedication, energy and commitment to protecting the countryside. We hope you’ve enjoyed taking a moment to celebrate their achievements.
