On the Edge
The countryside on our doorsteps is full of potential. Let’s unlock it – for nature and people everywhere.
Our ‘edgelands’
The countryside on the edges of our towns and cities is some of the most pressured and overlooked land in England – facing neglect, lack of investment, unsustainable development and too little protection.
Yet these fields, farms, paths, woods and scrublands hold extraordinary potential.
Our “edgelands” could play a vital role in tackling the nature and climate crises – supporting wildlife, sustaining local food systems, shielding communities from flooding and heat, and offering millions of people access to nature close to home.
The countryside matters
Most people believe we can build new homes and protect nature at the same time, but as demands on land intensify, the countryside next door is too often planned around – rather than planned for.
Nearly nine in ten people in Britain say protecting the countryside for future generations matters to them. Yet more than half believe it will be less well protected in ten years’ time. They’re right to be concerned.
On the Edge is CPRE’s call to change that
We’re inviting people across England to stand behind a shared ambition: that every town and city should be surrounded by thriving and protected countryside — for nature, climate and wellbeing.
This is the first step – a way to say these places matter. A way to ensure they are recognised, valued and shaped deliberately — not squeezed out by default.
Add your name to help protect and regenerate the countryside around every town and city.
