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[[link removed]]Hi John
With the year drawing to a close, I wanted to share our highlights of 2023. We
couldn’t have achieved any of it without you. Thank you for all the support you
have given CPRE this year.
We got off to a flying start with the government announcing hedgerow planting targets
[[link removed]] . Although lower than our recommendations, it was still a landmark decision,
and our hedgerow campaign was recognised later in the year with a first prize at the Charity Awards
[[link removed]] .
We’re into our third year of the Hedgerow Heroes project, with nine local groups
working hard to restore hedgerows in the countryside
[[link removed]] . Together with our Hedgelife Help Out
[[link removed]] activity, we’ve truly demonstrated the value of hedgerows for nature and our
countryside this year.
As winter gave way to spring, we called for a ‘rewilding’ of our night skies
[[link removed]] and the results of one of our biggest Star Counts yet showed only 1 in 20 in England enjoy a truly dark sky
[[link removed]] . Following the results, almost 2,000 of you put pressure on MPs to stand up
for starry skies.
Soon after, we co-funded an explosive report which laid bare the hidden homelessness crisis in our countryside
[[link removed]] , backing this up only last month with an impactful report
[[link removed]] on the rural affordable housing crisis. With rural homelessness increasing,
along with disgraceful 89-year social housing waiting lists, it’s clear that
rural communities are being left behind. That’s why we’re calling on the
government to act urgently to deliver homelessness support services and truly
affordable housing in our countryside communities.
There are many pressures on our countryside; none greater than the climate
emergency. This summer, we launched an ambitious campaign
[[link removed]] calling for a common-sense approach to renewables: rooftop solar. Our report
showed that the roofs of car parks, warehouses and industrial buildings can
provide more than half of our solar energy targets while protecting the
countryside for food and nature. With almost 30,000 of you signing our petition
[[link removed]] , we’ll be campaigning strongly for a rooftop revolution as we head into
election season.
Our countryside and green spaces can be part of the solution too, which we
demonstrated abundantly in our 2023 Green Belt report
[[link removed]] . However, our Local Green Spaces report revealed a strong link between designated green space access and deprivation
[[link removed]] , and we’re calling for a more streamlined process to help people protect these
crucial spaces. Together, these green spaces are crucial for nature recovery,
climate resilience and mental health.
Our hard-fought campaign for local democracy in the Levelling Up Bill came to a close in autumn
[[link removed]] when the Bill became an Act. Along with local CPREs and partner organisations,
we have scrutinised the Bill, and were able to ensure that the public would be
consulted on all new national planning policies unless in exceptional cases.
We couldn’t have achieved any of this without the backing of supporters, like
you. Thank you for all you do.
The general election will be monumental for our countryside, and we’re going all
out to make sure our manifesto
[[link removed]] is at the heart of the new government’s priorities. From delivering more rural
affordable housing, to enhancing our Green Belt and rolling out rooftop solar,
we’re determined to give the countryside a powerful voice.
Finally, may I wish you all the very best for the festive season, and for 2024.
With best wishes,
Roger
Roger Mortlock
Chief Executive | CPRE The countryside charity
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CPRE campaigns for a better future for the English countryside. We work locally
and nationally to promote, enhance and protect a beautiful, thriving countryside
for everyone to value and enjoy. Founded in 1926, we’re a grassroots
organisation, with more than 100 local groups, a branch in every county and
60,000 members and supporters. CPRE is a registered charity (1089685) and a
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[[link removed]] .
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