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Passionate about the countryside for 100 years

Celebrating our centenary
Latest news: 'grey belt' analysis is now available
CPRE unveils new look and feel for centenary year of celebration

Welcome to CPRE

We shape and promote solutions for the sustainable use of land to protect and regenerate the countryside.

What we do

At CPRE, we work for a beautiful, resilient countryside loved by everyone.

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Support

Whether it’s a one-off donation or a long-term volunteering role, find out how you can support us.

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Action

The home of our campaigns and advocacy. Let’s work together to protect and regenerate the countryside.

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Latest campaign

Rooftop solar campaign

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband borrowed our campaign slogan when he promised to ‘unleash a solar rooftop revolution’ – but now we need to see action. It’s time to get smart on solar.

Pledge your support Read more

Over 125,000

hedgerow trees planted between 2024-5

Over 1,600

volunteers standing up for the countryside

619

MPs emailed by supporters to back rooftop solar on new homes

36

mentions of our evidence and campaigns in parliament this year

Latest news from CPRE

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News

CPRE unveils new look and feel for centenary year of celebration

Refreshed branding and website launches today.

Explainer

The Planning & Infrastructure Act – What does it do and what happens next?
News

Research shows most ‘grey belt’ homes planned on unspoilt countryside
Discover

100 years of championing a countryside for all
News

CPRE responds to the Environmental Improvement Plan
News

CPRE unveils new look and feel for centenary year of celebration
Explainer

The Planning & Infrastructure Act – What does it do and what happens next?
News

Research shows most ‘grey belt’ homes planned on unspoilt countryside
Discover

100 years of championing a countryside for all
News

CPRE responds to the Environmental Improvement Plan

How you can help

Donations and membership

Becoming a member is the best way to support a beautiful and resilient countryside. We put your money to good use, collaborating with communities and holding government to account for positive change and a sustainable countryside.

Become a member Donate

Take action

Help us stand up for the countryside. From signing petitions to sending postcards to your MP, find out how you can help.

Get involved

Volunteering

Our volunteers power our movement and and help shape its future. Why not join them?

Find a volunteer role

Moments from our history

We may be focused on the future, but here are a small selection of our successes from our history.

1926

CPRE is founded as the Council for the Preservation of Rural England, uniting groups like the National Trust, Women’s Institutes and the Commons Preservation Society to protect our countryside.

1935

CPRE launches a national countryside warden scheme with the Scouts and Guides to promote responsible behaviour — laying the foundations for what became the Country Code.

1949

After CPRE’s 20-year campaign, National Parks are established to conserve and enhance their natural beauty and provide recreational opportunities for the public.

1955

A government circular, in response to CPRE pressure, accepts the need for strongly protected Green Belts around England’s largest towns and cities.

1963

A long CPRE campaign succeeds in convincing the Government that England’s coastline needs protection as much as our inland countryside.

1970

We launch a hedgerow campaign after research shows the UK loses 10,000 miles a year. Laws to protect our best hedgerows come into force in 1997.

1981

CPRE saves Halvergate Marshes from arable land conversion, leading to the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme, which supports wildlife and landscape-friendly farming.

1996

Our report finds over 6 billion bottles are produced each year, with rising numbers of non-returnable plastic ones — worsening the litter problem.

2000

CPRE campaigning shifts housing policy from low-density sprawl to prioritising brownfield land for new homes, before greenfield is built on.

2015

The 5p charge for plastic carrier bags, introduced following a campaign led by CPRE, succeeds in an 86% fall in the number of disposable bags handed out.

2022

Ministers roll back proposed planning changes after pressure from CPRE campaigns to keep local democracy and community voices at the heart of decision-making.
A community push a brightly decorated trailer along with solar panels and wind turbines behind

2025

Announcement that solar panels are to be fitted on all new-build homes in England by 2027, a big CPRE campaign win.