Campaigns Update

Our campaign against the government’s proposals to deregulate the planning system is going from strength to strength.

Thank you to everyone who has signed our petition in recent weeks.

MPs are now starting to show their discontent but we need to urge even more of them to do the same to cause the government to rethink. 

Convincing MPs to take a stand against these proposals is a vital part of our strategy to win.

Will you email your MP today to outline your concerns?

Throughout Black History Month, we’re sharing personal histories and celebrating the contribution of Black people to the countryside.

We're starting with this account from Floella Benjamin, actor, writer, broadcaster and former president of the Ramblers, of her arrival in England and first connection with the verdant greens of the English countryside.

If you’ve never heard of the planning system before, you might be wondering what the fuss is all about.

Good planning helps balance the need for development against protecting the countryside – it’s the unsung hero of environmental protection.

In this piece, we spell out why we’re campaigning to prevent deregulation of the planning system, and why the government’s desire to ‘rip up red tape’ won’t deliver better outcomes for people or the countryside.

A country walk in search of something wild to eat – or preserve for the store cupboard – is a pleasure for many of us.

Foraging helps us appreciate nature’s finer details and can work wonders for our wellbeing. Above all, it remains a fantastic source of seasonal food!

From sloes to elderberries, we’ve put together a guide to the seasonal treats you can find in the countryside in autumn. Which will you pick?

It’s well established that spending time in nature is good for us. But is all time spent in nature equal, or does it matter what we do while we’re in nature?

And how can we make sure more people can experience these benefits?

We explore these questions in the latest episode of our Countryside Voices podcast, with Professor Jules Pretty from the University of Essex; poet, writer and artist Dr Sheree Mack; and CPRE’s campaigns manager Maddy Haughton-Boakes.