Finchingfield and the proposed new bridge that would ruin a wonderful setting
Wednesday 22 March 2023
CPRE Essex is backing an appeal to have Finchingfield given World Heritage Status… in the face of unpleasant plans for a new bridge that would have a deeply detrimental impact on the lovely village. Member Petra Ward sets out the case… “The Finchingfield Conservation Area was designated by Braintree District Council in recognition of its […] Read more >
Might spring finally be here?
Wednesday 22 March 2023
Hope springs eternal, as photographer Gordon Ridegwell demonstrated with a wander around Littlebury… “I just ventured out as it is a little warmer and found sheep grazing in the meadow near the mill.” Thank goodness for that hint of warmth – it has seemed a long winter. Read more >
Talk proves a winter winner… trust us
Monday 20 March 2023
The date… Wednesday, February 22. The time… 6.30pm. The place… your laptop. Yes, it could mean only one thing: the CPRE Essex winter talk. Choosing to do things a little differently this time round, we elected to have just the one talk over the season – and so it fell to Dr Andrew Impey, chief […] Read more >
Lower Thames Crossing faces two-year delay even if it wins planning permission… is this the beginning of the end?
Friday 10 March 2023
The beleaguered Lower Thames Crossing project has been delayed by two years… should it even be granted planning permission in the first place. With the Planning Inspectorate only having accepted the National Highways application for a Development Consent Order in December, yesterday’s (Thursday, March 10) announcement by Mark Harper, Secretary of State for Transport, represents […] Read more >
Small phone, big skies…
Friday 10 March 2023
Love ’em or loathe ’em, mobile phones are a big part most people’s lives, but surely none of us can begrudge their existence when see pictures like this. Gordon Ridgewell put his mobile on to a night setting and took this dramatic image of a big Essex sky to give us all some cheer during […] Read more >
Huge campaign win as government sets hedgerow targets
Thursday 9 March 2023
We’re celebrating a big step forward for nature and climate as the government has finally announced an ambitious target to create or restore 30,000 miles of hedgerows by 2037, and 45,000 miles of hedgerows by 2050, under the new Environmental Improvement Plan 2023. In a landmark decision for hedgerows, meeting the target goes some way […] Read more >
Deery deer! Gordon keeps an eye on his near-neighbours…
Thursday 9 March 2023
Photographer Gordon Ridgewell is always keen to take advantage of living in lovely Littlebury, as demonstrated in this image of deer feeding on barley shoots. “I didn’t have to go far for this shot – it was taken from living-room window!” he tells us. When the weather brightens up, Gordon will doubtless again be venturing […] Read more >
Do you want to sign petition against Lower Thames Crossing?
Thursday 9 March 2023
National Highways has applied to the Planning Inspectorate for a Development Consent Order allowing it to start work on the Lower Thames Crossing, sparking the Woodland Trust to launch a petition showing why the proposal is unacceptable. Ancient woodland, veteran trees and the trust’s Ashenbank Wood reserve are under threat from the proposal. The losses […] Read more >