CPRE newsletter - Fwd: We're celebrating a big win for nature!

[Mike Priaulx]

Hi all, this is only indirectly relevant to the SLN but CPRE are being quite positive about some changes to the Planning & Infrastructure Bill for England, see their newsletter below.

RSPB are also being quite positive:

https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/news/changes-to-the-planning-bill

Although some government ministers continue to make public statements that are quite negative about nature,

and this latest government press release starts off making bold statements, the actual changes seem to me to be mostly organisational:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/environmental-reforms-to-break-planning-system-gridlock

I'm sure there's important detail to keep a close eye on though, which I will do.

All the best,

Mike

Member of SLN Swifts & Planning Group

On 9 Aug 2025, at 10:04, "Lewis Townsend, CPRE" <camp...@cpre.org.uk> wrote:

Trouble viewing email? Open In Browser   Dear Michael, 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.    Learn more 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.   Learn more 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?   Learn More 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.   Learn more 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.    Sign the petition Best wishes,  Lewis Townsend  Communications Manager Unsubscribe or change your contact details 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 company registered in England (04302973). CPRE holds and manages data in strict accordance with the Data Protection Act (2018). Read our Privacy Policy. If you don’t wish to receive emails from us any more, you can unsubscribe. Campaign to Protect Rural England, 15-21 Provost Street, London, N1 7NH. Tel: 020 7981 2800 | www.cpre.org.uk Trouble viewing email? Open it in browser