News
Lower Thames Crossing: here’s your chance to take part in the planning process
Tuesday 10 January 2023
CPRE Essex has opposed plans for the massively destructively Lower Thames Crossing since they were first proposed in their current form. Sadly, the National Highways application for a Development Consent Order was accepted by the Planning Inspectorate in November, so we are now at the stage where we are asking everyone with a view to […] Read more >
If you can’t beat them, join them (and have a Happy New Year!)
Sunday 1 January 2023
Photographer Gordon Ridgewell is never one to let the grass grow under his feet, so he ensures he’s up to speed with technology, as he relates… “I’ve just been trying out my new camera – this one is fixed to a mobile phone. Everyone just accepts phones these days, but when I lift up a […] Read more >
Time to relax and celebrate after a year to remember
Saturday 24 December 2022
Well, what a year that was! Things by and large returned to some kind of normality after the extraordinary events of the Covid-19 pandemic, meaning for example that we were able to meet in person at the AGM, while the development onslaught revved up again to keep us all more than busy. Perhaps the most […] Read more >
Planning reforms consultation: CPRE ‘deeply concerned’
Friday 23 December 2022
CPRE has given a decidedly cool response to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) prospectus consultation, which was published yesterday (Thursday, December 22). Paul Miner, acting director of campaigns and policy at CPRE, the countryside charity, said: “We are deeply concerned that the government appears to be backsliding on promises it made just a few weeks […] Read more >
Campaign success as planning changes give more power to communities
Thursday 8 December 2022
The government has set out new measures in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill that give communities more say on local housing targets, as well as encouraging brownfield development and controlling short-term lets. Commenting on the government’s vital changes to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, Tom Fyans, interim chief executive of CPRE, the countryside […] Read more >
Farmers want funding to extend hedgerow network and boost nature, shows CPRE survey
Thursday 8 December 2022
There is overwhelming support among farmers for the government to introduce a target to expand the country’s hedgerow network. A nationwide survey showed the vast majority of farmers and land managers responding also wanted the government to properly fund the target, which is 40 per cent more hedgerows by 2050, as recommended by the Climate […] Read more >
Lower Thames Crossing bid accepted for government inspection
Friday 2 December 2022
Renewed plans for the hugely damaging Lower Thames Crossing have crossed their first hurdle with the Planning Inspectorate’s decision to accept the National Highways scheme for examination. CPRE has campaigned hard against the proposal and the decision to accept the Decision Consent Order comes as a blow. Across the river, Hilary Newport, director of CPRE […] Read more >
Unleash potential of rooftop solar to tackle energy crisis, CPRE urges Chancellor
Thursday 17 November 2022
Changes to planning policy could turbocharge the rollout of solar energy and help reduce reliance on gas at little or no cost to the public purse, analysis by CPRE, the countryside charity, has shown. Ahead of the Autumn Statement, CPRE is urging the government to target rooftops, car parks and brownfield sites for a rapid […] Read more >
Essex Way: back where it all began (and ended)
Friday 11 November 2022
The story of the Essex Way has been well charted during the year on this website, our competition being particularly special for those at CPRE Essex. The highlights emanating from that competition have been many, but this from Katie Miller has a striking poignancy… “Here are three photographs of my mother, Helen Clothier, honorary secretary […] Read more >
It’s been tough for Gordon but he sees new hope through the lens
Friday 11 November 2022
Regular photographic contributor Gordon Ridgewell has enhanced this site tremendously over recent years, but a deep personal loss in the summer knocked him off his stride. Happily, while still coming to terms with that loss, he is starting to “kick-start” his life and so he shares this image of a Robin he took while walking […] Read more >