Dear John,

We’re thrilled to share some exciting campaign wins from CPRE HQ this month!

Over the past few months, we’ve been working together to push for meaningful changes to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill — calling for stronger protections for nature and protecting local voices in planning decisions.

We’re pleased to see the government respond with proposed amendments that help protect nature. But have they gone far enough? We’ll explore that below.

Last week, the government also announced that they will be building 40,000 new homes on brownfield land across England over the next decade. We’ve long campaigned for a brownfield-first approach, putting homes where they’re needed most, close to transport and local services. It’s a strong start, but we urge the government to go further and deliver genuinely affordable and social housing.

Take a look for more on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, as well as updates on the national food strategy, national landscapes, Countryside Day, and an important petition to save the Hertfordshire Green Belt.

Good news for nature, but more can still be done

After calling for stronger protections for nature, we’re pleased to see the government take a real step forward with its recently proposed amendments. These changes will ensure environmental delivery plans are backed by scientific evidence, improve transparency around when conservation measures will be delivered and provide more legal certainty that these plans will lead to genuine environmental improvement. 

Reshaping the food strategy

The government has released the first part of its new food strategy - an important step toward reshaping how we grow, eat, and value food grown in the UK. We’re pleased to see a commitment to tackling key challenges like food security, health, and our environment, but it still lacks clarity on what truly sustainable farming looks like and how it will be supported.

Head outdoors this Countryside Day!

Countryside Day is fast approaching, and local groups across England are preparing to celebrate the beauty and value of the countryside on our doorstep. We've compiled a selection of events taking place nationwide, all designed to bring people together and deepen our connection with rural landscapes.

Curious about what’s happening at your local CPRE branch?

Hope for our National Landscapes?

Recent budget cuts have forced Natural England to pause work on key landscape protection projects. This shows a troubling lack of commitment to safeguarding our most valued landscapes — at a time when they could play a crucial role in meeting the government’s pledge to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030.

But there is hope. Two projects are still moving forward: the long-awaited designation of the Yorkshire Wolds as England’s newest National Landscape, and a proposed 25% extension to the Surrey Hills. We’re urging the government to protect these vital landscapes without delay.

Sign the national petition to save our Green Belt

CPRE Hertfordshire is campaigning for an urgent change in the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published in December 2024. Join over 8,000 others and sign this national petition calling on the government to amend the definition of ‘grey belt’ land in the Green Belt before we lose our precious countryside forever. 

Best wishes,