Countryside in danger says CPRE

Urban developments have effects that are felt far beyond their physical boundaries, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has said, with half of the country now affected in this way.

The CPRE has released new figures showing that side-effects of developments such as noise or light pollution affect 50 per cent of the countryside, up from 26 per cent in the early 1960s.

Urban growth was particularly pronounced in the south-east, the study noted.

"Countryside which is undisturbed by noise and development is vital for our quality of life and well-being," commented CPRE chief executive Shaun Spiers.

The CPRE said earlier this month that the government should look at increasing its aim of building 60 per cent of new homes on brownfield land to 75 per cent.

"It is a huge challenge to provide 640,000 new homes in a region where the capacity of the environment is being stretched to the limit," noted CPRE south east director Edward Dawson, commenting on building plans in the south-east.


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