CPRE, Campaign to Protect Rural England

🎉 We’ve turned 100! From the first Green Belts to protecting and planting hedgerows, dark skies and treasured landscapes, together we’ve stood up for our countryside – and we’re just getting started. But first: Our past 100 years in 100 seconds. bit.ly/4aG4iaV

🚀 Britain Talks Climate & Nature has landed! It’s time to tell a new climate story, based on what 7,000+ people across England, Scotland and Wales really think and feel about climate and nature right now: climateoutreach.org/btc/2025/ 👉 What you need to know: ▶ We are a nation of nature lovers and we want to protect our environment: 4 in 5 Brits agree that being in nature makes us very happy, and people are proud of the UK’s work to protect and restore natural places. ▶Trust in British society, politics and government is collapsing: there is a deep sense that people are fed up of being let down by broken promises and politicians, and we are not yet convinced that net zero offers a positive way forward. ▶ Climate action has an image problem - but it’s fixable: talking about ‘net zero’ and ‘climate change’ feels increasingly polarising, however people are still very positive towards clean energy. 89% of Brits are comfortable with rooftop solar panels, viewing them as common-sense policies that can lower bills. 💡What’s clear is that people across the board are with us when communication is clear and inviting, and we see a huge increase in support for climate action when we explain why it matters and what it means for people’s lives. 👉 Now it’s over to you! Our research can only make an impact if it’s put to use: ✅ Check out the full report for insights across key climate and nature topics ✅ Put the research into practice with our communications toolkit ✅ Tailor the research to your audience with a dedicated workshop 👉 Check out our research and toolkit at climateoutreach.org/btc/2025/, and discover our workshops: climateoutreach.org/what-we-do/wor…. There’s still time to sign up for our launch webinar on Thursday 11th September: climateoutreach.org/btc2025_launch/ Special thanks to our research partners @Moreincommon_ and our funders European Climate Foundation. #BritainTalksClimate

Just 2 weeks to go until #WildSummitUK⌛️ Join us for sessions including looking at the action needed by Government to halt the decline of wildlife in the UK by 2030, & to protect 30% of land & sea for nature🏞️ Book via wildsummituk.eventbrite.co.uk

CPRE Kent has set up a CrowdJustice page to help fund its challenge to the govt’s decision to permit a housing development in the High Weald National Landscape. We aim to hit £2,500 by Feb 27. If you can help, please click here: crowdjustice.com/case/nationall… Thank you.

We support recycling previously developed land, including car parks, on the Green Belt or otherwise - if it's suitable for housing, and if the development itself has plenty of affordable housing + social rent. Vast majority of GB however is open countryside better served for growing/climate mitigation + nature recovery.

@Chrimms2 @CPRE @ChrisGPackham nonono we must pRoTecT tHe GrEeN belt x.com/russellcurtis/…

@PosadistPaul @ChrisGPackham Ambitious targets for homes people can genuinely afford (including redefining 'affordable' in policy terms to actually mean affordable, not 80% of market rate), as well as stronger targets for social rent as part of any housing mix, is exactly what we're calling for.

@CPRE @ChrisGPackham Glad to hear that you have homes you can afford, that must be nice! Unfortunately the rest of us don't, so I hope you won't mind if we ignore your dangerous and self-centred rhetoric

We are not suggesting that houses don't get built, but that housing delivery controlled by large housebuilders is stifling supply, driving up prices and not delivering enough affordable homes/social rent. We need more smaller/medium housebuilders in the mix, and to look at recycling previously used land before farmland or land which could be improved for nature.

@CPRE @ChrisGPackham How are you proposing we "have homes we can afford" without building houses? Are you suggesting supply of houses has nothing to do with their price?

@DuncanStott @ChrisGPackham The original purposes are important, but we agree - and signed on to this briefing which argues the same (released earlier in week): wcl.org.uk/docs/Link_brie…

@CPRE @ChrisGPackham So let's design environmental protections based on food, climate and nature. Green belts weren't designed for any of these purposes!

@FriendsofLakes are exploring the unique value of Hows Wood in beautiful Eskdale, and they want to hear from you! 🌳Whether you've visited or have a favourite spot that’s special to you, share your thoughts and help us protect woodlands today. friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/hows-wood

A welcome announcement from @SteveReedMP to publish the final 30 by 30 criteria 💚 The government has a chance to improve nature across more land and sea to meet the target - but a clear action plan is key ✅ Read our report to learn how 👇 wcl.org.uk/docs/Link_30x3…

@DunkinWedd @CommunityPlann1 We agree, easy access to our green spaces is so important for both physical and mental health 💚.

@SomersetBusPart Hi there! We addressed rural transport issues, noting how new developments increase car dependency. We highlighted introducing a national public transport timetable with integrated ticketing, and redirecting funds from road-building schemes into public transport.

@CPRE What about rural transport?

The statutory & public consultation to designate part of the Yorkshire Wolds as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) has officially launched! Have your say from today until midnight on the 13th January 2025. Read all about it 👇 gov.uk/government/new…

@Sand26562 @GreenJennyJones @fmbuilders So sorry to hear about your brother. You're absolutely right, we need a new generation of sustainable social housing. You can read more and get involved with our campaign here: cpre.org.uk/explainer/our-…

@CPRE @GreenJennyJones @fmbuilders 2/2 but cannot afford to private rent the rents are ridiculous where he is , he's on the waiting list but been told he's not priority, he has a 16 yr old son he's not really getting quality time with , it's affecting his mental health his sons and my mums ,he needs social housing

@jbecole Thanks so much for your support, Janet! 💚

@CPRE in calling on the government to unleash the potential of rooftop solar, starting now. Add your name. #RooftopRevolution takeaction.cpre.org.uk/page/127929/pe…

@SuzanneWise13 Thanks for your support, Suzanne!

@AustinMildoth Thanks so much for your support! 💚

@AnnEttekt57 Hi Ann, you can read our view on Labour’s five golden rules for development on the ‘grey belt’ here. cpre.org.uk/opinions/our-v…

@CPRE What is a grey site within a green belt please?

@guyshrubsole Thanks Guy. Our view is that in saying they'd take steps to ensure landowners get 'fair compensation', Labour are stopping short of abolishing hope value - one of our manifesto asks - and landowners will still stand to profit. Hopefully this helps clarify our analysis 🙂

@CPRE I’m confused by this bit, where you say Labour aren’t committing to abolish hope value - just after quoting a section of the manifesto where they pledge to precisely that?

@AnnaClarke_____ That's certainly true, although important to note the regional disparities. Compared with the national average of 45%, the proportion of available housing units with planning permission is 33% in the northwest, 36% in the West Midlands and 40% in Yorkshire and the Humber.

45% of brownfield sites already have planning permission, and many of the rest will be upstream in the pipeline. This shows that describing brownfield as an untapped stock of land we should build on "first" is the wrong way to think about it.