News

Tuesday 6th September 2011
Time to solve the National Planning Policy Foul-Up
Andy Boddington explains why this new document needs radical changes before it becomes Law...Who would have expected in this summer of riots that an obscure planning document would...

Friday 21st January 2011
Localism Bill : essays by councillors
How can local councils put the principles of localism into practice in the communities they serve? In this series of essays from the Local Government Improvement & Development ...

Friday 9th July 2010
Want to see how they decided to abolish Regional Strategies?
Here is a transcript from Hansard of the discussion in Parliament that led to the abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies...  30 Jun 2010 : Column 254WHRegional Spatial Strat...

Thursday 24th June 2010
Peak District PLANNING HELP service launched
PEAK DISTRICT PLANNING HELP   A new free service to help people with questions about planning in and around the Peak District has been launched.  Friends of the Peak...

Wednesday 23rd June 2010
For £200 you can force authorities to clear up litter
Like many drivers on Britain's litter-strewn roads, Peter Silverman was dismayed at the rubbish he saw piled on the side of the motorway.  Unlike most motorists, he decided to...

Friday 9th April 2010
Bill Bryson talks to the party leaders about countryside issues
On the eve of the general election, the writer and rural advocate challenges party leaders on the crisis facing our countrysideNothing - and I mean, really, absolutely nothing - is...

Thursday 18th February 2010
Eyes on the skies
A special hotline has opened so that walkers can report sightings of one of the country's rarest birds, the hen harrier.     The RSPB is particularly keen for p...

Thursday 4th February 2010
Housing demand and supply
State of the countryside update:  Housing demand and supply    - a report published on 2 February 2010 by the Commission for Rural Communities  Over the la...

Wednesday 3rd February 2010
New energy rules may end 'on-all-night' shop displays
The era of the 'on-all-night' illuminated high street could end, the Environment Agency is predicting. The agency says new rules will force businesses to switch off lights and disp...

Wednesday 3rd February 2010
Row threatens plan to save bees
Plans to save Britain's declining bee population have been thrown into disarray after a row broke out between beekeepers and government officials. The British Beekeepers' Associati...

Friday 15th January 2010
Campaigners save last allotment site
Campaigners are celebrating after winning a battle to save a village's last allotment site from being turned into a housing estate.Residents in Quorn have been opposing a plan to d...

Friday 8th January 2010
LGA opposes relaxing licensing laws for small venues
The Local Government Association (LGA) has warned that plans to relax licensing laws for small music venues will lead to an increase in noise complaints.The body was responding to ...

Monday 4th January 2010
No more music at events thanks to plans to charge more for music
Scores of charity shops could be forced to close because of new Government plans to charge them more to play music to customers. Lord Mandelson wants to force anyone who plays musi...

Monday 4th January 2010
Pre-election call to action
A new agenda for rural BritainThe Rural Services Network has launched a comprehensive call to action for politicians prior to the 2010 general election.A range of recommendations a...

Friday 18th December 2009
Distraction burglaries
This is a message from the Northamptonshire North Police Community Safety Unit. However it's good advice for anyone living in rural areas, so I thought I would share it with you.&n...

Monday 7th December 2009
Climate Change debate - what do YOU think?
Following a thought-provoking article by a CPRE member in Shropshire ... admittedly not in the East Midlands! ... we wondered if you agree with his 'take' on where CPRE should stan...

Friday 4th December 2009
Christmas with CPRE
Get your Christmas shopping off to a flying start by ordering cards, CDs, calendars, bags and books from our growing collection of goodies. Profits go towards supporting the work o...

Friday 27th November 2009
Guide: Local Area Agreements
New guide to Local Area Agreements Urban Forum has produced a guide to local area agreements (LEAs), which are an increasingly important part of how local public services are ...

Wednesday 25th November 2009
Free supermarket bags: a good thing?
This thought-provoking email has come in from a visitor to the website. I'd like to know what you think... either email me your comment or enter the online discussion.  FionaU...

Monday 23rd November 2009
Why fat's so important to garden birds
Ever wondered why we're always going low-fat, and the birds aren't?There are very good reasons why a bit of extra fat doesn't go wrong on our garden tweeties. Thanks to the RS...

Wednesday 23rd September 2009
Report reveals worrying state of UK rivers
An Environment Agency assessment published on Tuesday 22nd September reveals that just five rivers remain 'High' status waterways - all in remote areas of Northumberl...

Thursday 10th September 2009
Swine flu - resources
There are many sources of information or advice, should your community be threatened by or affected by Swine Flu:LGE Swine Flu Guidance for HR ManagersPandemic Flu - Health Protect...

Wednesday 26th August 2009
Villagers zap 5,000 speeding motorists in Northants
More than 5,000 drivers have received warning letters after being caught speeding by community volunteers in Northamptonshire villages in the past year.Villagers armed with speed g...

Thursday 9th July 2009
Government pledges to support rural communities through recession
Government pledge over rural communitiesTHE government has pledged to support rural communities through the recession. The promise came as stakeholders held a summit to discuss way...

Tuesday 14th April 2009
Is the recession hiking rural crime?
A shock rise in thefts has prompted warnings for rural residents to review home security measures. (Rural Services Community)Read more...