General Election 2010: our countryside manifesto

General Election 2010: make the countryside count

‘This year's General Election is a critical moment for England's countryside. The promises politicians make now will determine whether the countryside becomes a better, more beautiful and more inspirational place, or is condemned to death by a thousand cuts.'

This was the view of Ben Stafford, Head of Campaigns at CPRE, on 4 February 2010 as the charity launched its manifesto for the General Election expected in May 2010.

CPRE's manifesto follows the publication last year of its vision for the countryside in 2026, and sets out the key actions needed in the next five years to protect and improve England's countryside. Every voter can play their part by challenging candidates to support CPRE's agenda.

The manifesto calls for progress in three areas:

• Twenty-first century planning: it's time for politicians to stop rubbishing planning and recognise its potential - as the best and most democratic system we have to protect and enhance the countryside, promote urban renewal and improve people's quality of life. The next Government should also back higher development targets for brownfield land and invest heavily in low carbon travel, including in often-neglected rural areas;

• Protecting the human habitat: the next Government should champion National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The creation of the South Downs National Park should be the starting point for better protection of these crown jewels of our countryside, and they should be no-go areas for intrusive development. And politicians need to stand up for Green Belts, with no more nibbling away at their edges to allow urban sprawl, and support the creation of new areas of Green Belt;

• Action on litter and fly-tipping: it's time for political leadership to prevent us drowning under an ever-rising tide of rubbish. The next Government needs to recognise that we won't solve our litter problem without a strong campaign to change people's behaviour, and to support the bodies, like local councils, that clear our litter up. Politicians should also introduce a national deposit scheme for drinks containers, which would reduce litter, boost recycling and reward good behaviour by consumers.

Ben Stafford said:

‘Too often, the environment and the countryside seem to disappear off the political radar in the heat of a General Election campaign. But millions of people live, work in and visit the countryside, and millions are members of groups that want their leaders to protect precious areas of beauty and tranquillity from excessive development, neglect and mismanagement.

‘We can't afford the countryside to go missing in this election. If it does, the chances are it won't be a priority for whichever party forms the next Government. We all need to vote for the countryside in 2010, before it's too late.'

Ben Stafford (Head of Campaigns)
020 7981 2800 (switchboard)
020 7981 2818 (direct)
07940 215526 (mobile)

Claire Norman (Press Officer)
020 7981 2800 (switchboard)
020 7981 2819 (direct)
07739 332 796 (out of hours press mobile)

Neil Sinden (Director - Policy & Campaigns)
020 7981 2800 (switchboard)
020 7981 2831 (direct)