CPRE responds to the Environmental Improvement Plan

The government has published its refreshed 25 Year Environment Plan, setting out new commitments for nature, access to green spaces and habitat restoration.

Commenting on today’s launch of the government’s 25 Year Environmental Improvement Plan, Roger Mortlock, CEO of CPRE, the countryside charity, said:

‘Everyone, no matter their background or where they live, should enjoy equal access to our beautiful countryside and green spaces. The government’s new commitment to making this a reality by publishing a green paper on access to nature is encouraging. We now need a clear timeline so tangible progress can be made.

‘We’re also thrilled to see that the hedgerow target remains in the refreshed Plan, which will support farmers and land managers to create or restore 48,000km of hedgerows by 2037 and 72,500km of hedgerows by 2050. It’s vital that the funding is available to make this hedgerow dream a reality.

‘We also welcome the £500 million landscape recovery fund and ambitious habitat restoration targets. There are still critical gaps in the Plan, not least the monitoring and regulation of light pollution where evidence is growing about its negative impact on both species and human health.’