Campaign to Protect Rural England RSS News

Green hopes threatened by growth plans

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:01:00 GMT

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) hopes to be able to welcome much of the new development plan for the North West, to be published in early September.

Is it really that grim up North? Why mass migration to the South is not the answer

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:42:33 GMT

Measures proposed by the Policy Exchange in their report, Cities Unlimited: Making Urban Regeneration work, would fail communities and lead to extensive loss of countryside throughout England, say campaigners CPRE.

Panorama: Notes on a Dirty Island

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:36:07 GMT

Reporting for BBC’s Panorama on Monday 11 August, in a personal and passionate account, CPRE's President Bill Bryson says he's appalled at how we now treat our surroundings like a rubbish tip, and castigates our apparent inability to walk or drive anywhere without leaving a trail of litter.

New Safety Guidelines Pose Unnecessary Threat to Trees

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:01:00 GMT

Countryside campaigners CPRE are urging the British Standards Institution (BSI) to change their plans for guidelines on tree safety.

‘The BSI has generated anxiety and confusion with proposals which could threaten the future of trees valued for their public amenity,’ said Tom Oliver, Head of Rural Policy at CPRE.

Welcome Government Move to Retain Green Benefits of Set Aside Land

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:06:32 GMT

The Government should be congratulated on making an urgently needed move to protect the environment on farmland.

This is the verdict of CPRE to the decision by Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment, to take forward the key recommendation by Sir Don Curry’s expert group for a replacement for the set aside scheme. This will require farmers to put a percentage of their land into primarily environmental management.

Higher Standards for Eco Towns - A Step in the Right Direction

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:37:31 GMT

Countryside campaigners CPRE welcome the publication of two reports setting out the Government’s latest thinking on eco-towns. They describe standards that eco-towns should achieve, the planning process and timetable.

East Midlands Countryside Threatened by Housing Increase

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:16:40 GMT

Countryside campaigners, CPRE, have welcomed a number of recommendations in the Government’s Proposed Changes to the East Midlands Regional Plan. But serious threats to the region’s countryside remain.

Reasons to be cheerful: Matthew Taylor's rural report

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:01:00 GMT

CPRE welcomed Matthew Taylor’s much anticipated report to the Prime Minister on rural communities Wednesday 23 July.

‘It is so refreshing to read a report which puts long term planning [3], local distinctiveness, and community consent at the heart of its recommendations,’ said Tom Oliver, Head of Rural Policy at CPRE.

Development Pressures Risk Changing the Face of the South East

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:09:16 GMT

Disappointingly the Government has stuck to its targets for very high rates of growth and development in the South East region. This is despite the clearly expressed views of residents, that development pressures must be moderated. Such rates of growth will change the face of the region and damage the environment, countryside and quality of life.
This is the view of the CPRE following the launch of the Government’s proposed changes to the South East Plan.

Housing Recovery Package Fails to Address Rural Concerns

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:02:55 GMT

The raft of measures on housing announced today will fail to address rural concerns. This is the response of countryside campaigners (CPRE). Measures include a new round of Growth Points across the country, identifying locations where significant increases in housing provision are proposed; new measures to support first time buyers; and further funding for affordable housing.

England's Countryside: A Precious Asset Worth Keeping

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:01:00 GMT

England’s countryside is a hugely precious national asset, which needs protecting more than ever in the face of growing pressures. This is the reaction of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) to the State of the countryside 2008 report published by the Commission for Rural Communities today.

North East Plan: The Government Gambles on the Region's Future

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:18:03 GMT

The Government today launched the final version of its Plan for North East England which sets out a vision for the region through to 2021.

First Ever Giant Wind Turbine in a National Park is to be Built

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:57:16 GMT

National and regional environmental groups have criticized the government’s decision today to grant permission for a giant wind turbine at Glyndebourne in the South Downs. The turbine will be the first industrial-scale turbine ever to be built in a designated national park.

Government About to Reveal its Hand on the Pressurised South East

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:35:26 GMT

A CPRE Advance Briefing on the proposed changes to the regional spatial strategy for the South East, expected on Thursday 17th July from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Local Authorities Side-Lined - A Threat to Our High Streets

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:43:30 GMT

Government proposals to abolish the ‘need test’ for town centre planning are a serious threat to local retail diversity and choice. This is the initial view of the Campaign to Protect Rural England on the Government’s announcement today.

Retail Planning in a Spin?

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:00:20 GMT

A CPRE News Briefing on the Government's plans to announce its proposals tomorrow (Thursday), to revise planning guidance in Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning for Town Centres.

New Chairman and Vice Presidents for CPRE

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:01:00 GMT

The Campaign to Protect Rural England is set to elect Peter Waine as the charity’s new Chairman at its AGM. Peter, former Chairman of both the Tree Council and Brogdale Horticultural Trust, will serve for a six year term.

Is the nations housing adviser up to the job?

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:01:00 GMT

To coincide with the National Housing and Planning Advice Unit’s (NHPAU) annual conference today (Wednesday) CPRE asks: is the Government’s housing adviser up to the job?

Tesco Blight Threat Battle Begins

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:01:00 GMT

The ability of communities to prevent damaging supermarket development will be tested in a key public inquiry which starts today near the Norfolk town of Sheringham. The result could have implications for the future of supermarket development right across the country says the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

We are ready to talk Minister, are you?

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:28:09 GMT

Countryside campaigners, CPRE, expressed disappointment at comments reported today (Monday) by a spokesperson for Housing Minister Caroline Flint questioning CPRE’s commitment to affordable housing in the countryside.