News
Come on, Essex, we can do better with solar!
Friday 14 November 2025
David Knight, CPRE Essex chairman, is cheered by intelligent use of solar power in Cambridge but would like to see his own county also get up to speed with this important technology. The CPRE national policy on solar farms is very clear. We need them as one alternative source of energy, but there are plenty […] Read more >
Scheme for more than 800 homes ‘would address shortfall in delivery’
Friday 7 November 2025
The green space to the east of Pitsea could be hosting 850 houses if a developer gets its way. GS8 has submitted plans to Basildon Council for a substantial scheme on farmland by Pound Lane, Bowers Gifford, that would include community and commercial floorspace, infrastructure and open spaces. Fifty per cent of the housing would […] Read more >
Green Belt land among Epping Forest sites targeted by housing developers
Thursday 6 November 2025
Developers have cast their eye on the Epping Forest area, revealing plans for hundreds of homes. Pigeon Capital Management is seeking permission to build 400 properties, along with care homes and a country park, north of Stewards Green Road in Epping. The site, in the Green Belt, has not been allocated for development in the […] Read more >
Celebrating 100 years: bringing the countryside to RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Tuesday 28 October 2025
CPRE will celebrate a hundred years of standing up for the countryside with a show garden at next year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The garden has been created by award-winning designer Sarah Eberle and sponsored by grant-giving charity Project Giving Back. For a hundred years, CPRE has championed the landscapes and communities of rural England. The […] Read more >
Autumn in Saffron Walden… there really is nothing quite like it
Tuesday 21 October 2025
It’s a beautiful time of year… “With St Mary’s Church in the distance, autumn has arrived on the common at Saffron Walden,” photographer Gordon Ridgewell tells us. Read more >
Over the moon with Gordon
Friday 17 October 2025
Is there nothing for which Littlebury photographic ace Gordon Ridgewell is not ready with his camera?! Earlier this month he turned his lens to the dark skies over north-west Essex… “There was a supermoon over them there woods this morning,” he tells us. “It was at its best at 4.28am, I am told, but this […] Read more >
Government announces wave of last-minute reforms to planning bill
Wednesday 15 October 2025
Late on Monday night (October 13), the government announced a raft of last-minute amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. The amendments raise questions, including new powers for ministers to overrule local planning decisions and proposals to reduce Natural England’s oversight on more ‘minor’ developments. However, CPRE is concerned about the continued rhetoric from government. […] Read more >
AGM is a winner from start to finish
Wednesday 15 October 2025
A healthy turnout of 23 people gathered for CPRE Essex’s Annual General Meeting. Always a thoroughly enjoyable event, this year’s AGM was held on Saturday, October 4, in the delightful setting of the Assembly Rooms in Dedham, a town so attractive that it draws thousands of visitors every year to savour its special charms. And […] Read more >
Basildon councillors back building of data centre in Green Belt
Saturday 27 September 2025
Wickford is to become home to a large data centre. Basildon councillors have approved the reported £1 billion project in the Green Belt near the A127 and Old Nevendon Road. Wickford Town Council noted that the scheme contradicted Green Belt policy and was concerned about urban sprawl between Wickford and Basildon, traffic congestion and noise […] Read more >
Be sure not to forget, the CPRE Essex AGM is on Saturday, October 4, in beautiful Dedham
Friday 26 September 2025
It’s almost here! In just the blink of an eye, the CPRE Essex AGM is practically upon us. This year’s event is being held on the afternoon of Saturday, October 4, at the Assembly Rooms in Dedham. We will be meeting at 2pm for a 2.30pm start. Our guest speaker will be Paul Gallifant, editor of the […] Read more >