General
Pylons scheme: final consultation has begun. So it’s over to you…
Monday 15 April 2024
The third and final consultation on National Grid’s plans to place a line of pylons from Norwich to Tilbury has just begun – and we urge everyone who is concerned about the scheme to get involved. The statutory consultation began on Wednesday, April 10, and runs until Tuesday, June 18. It is the last chance […] Read more >
Sweet, sour and blue
Monday 15 April 2024
A strange one from photographer Gordon Ridgewell today… “The bluebells are now in flower at Howe Wood, Littlebury. They add to the smells of the countryside, along with the rape and dumping of sewage just along the road. A bit like sweet and sour.”. Mmm… Read more >
Countryside ahead on rooftop solar but England’s full potential overlooked
Wednesday 10 April 2024
New CPRE analysis reveals that homes in the countryside are leading the way on solar power generation. Forty-eight of the 50 English parliamentary constituencies with the highest domestic solar generation capacity are in rural areas, while all 200 of those with the lowest are in towns and cities. Analysis of local-authority data showed that rural […] Read more >
We wish you a happy and peaceful Easter
Thursday 28 March 2024
It’s blowing hard out there as we write this, with weather warnings issued, but Easter is almost here. And no flower is associated more with this lovely and important time than the daffodil. So over to photographer Gordon Ridgewell… “It’s ‘daff’ time of the year again. I had to call at St Mary’s Church, Wendens […] Read more >
The dandelions are early – but what about the wine?
Wednesday 27 March 2024
It might seem that spring is struggling to splutter into life, but photographer Gordon Ridgewell reminds us how nature’s cycle is very different to how it once was. “I have just seen dandelions in flower,” he tells us. “Back in the day – the 1960s – when I made wine it was always said to […] Read more >
Coggeshall, Open Gardens and the love of trees
Monday 25 March 2024
These pages have gone way too long without the writing of Anne Boileau. This particularly beautiful piece will surely touch us all. One of the striking features of Coggeshall is the surprise of the back gardens, which are often larger and more leafy than you would expect on seeing the front aspect on the street. […] Read more >
Minerals plan review extended to April 9
Thursday 14 March 2024
Such has been the public response to the consultation on the county council’s Minerals Local Plan (MLP) Review that it has been extended from March 19 to Tuesday, April 9. The review includes 52 new sites for consideration across the county and CPRE Essex will be submitting a response. As we stressed before, it would […] Read more >
It’s a lovely day!
Thursday 14 March 2024
No extra commentary needed here. We’ll let camera king Gordon Ridgewell do the talking… “I just popped out with the dog and captured this shot of Littlebury Mill. The sun is shining and the daffs are out. What a lovely day!” Read more >
It’s a pigeon paradise
Monday 11 March 2024
Who doesn’t love a pigeon? If nothing else, you have to admire the birds’ eye for an easy meal – it’s one of the reasons they are so successful (some species, at any rate). The woodpigeon is of course a familiar sight in the Essex countryside (too familiar, some farmers might say) and here photographer […] Read more >
Essex minerals plan: your chance to join consultation
Sunday 25 February 2024
Would you like to give your views on the next Essex minerals plan? The county council is consulting on the Minerals Local Plan (MLP) Review, which includes 52 new sites for consideration. They are scattered across the county and CPRE Essex will be submitting a response. There are several aspects to consider. For example, Tricia […] Read more >