News
Here you will find the major news stories that we are taking an active interest in.
On 2nd December 2014 UK Treasury ministers published an updated National Infrastructure Plan indicating major projects in which the government had committed to invest public money, subject to some further due diligence enquiries. While recognising that large infrastructure projects bring economic benefits, CPRE and other campaigning organisations urge that these massive projects be compared critically with the benefits from greener, smaller-scale, local projects.
A cross-party group looking at wellbeing has called for more green spaces in our cities, as "planning processes have lost sight of their original mission to improve community wellbeing".
New planning guidance covering the Green Belt has been published by the Department for Communities and Local Government. The announcement, on October 6 2014, appears to have come as part of an attempt by ministers to strengthen controls and make local authorities consider more closely the construction of green belt housing.
In a major victory for heritage campaigners, communities secretary Eric Pickles refused permission for the mixed-use redevelopment of the historic Smithfield wholesale markets.
On Saturday 30th August, local MP Vince Cable and his wife joined CPRE London members for a picnic at the Orleans Park riverside in Twickenham. Latest update: Richmond Council have now withdrawn their plans.
Writing in the Architects Journal, Paul Finch reports on the sinister attacks on the green belt."Never forget that it ws only the prompt action of concerned citizens that saved Hampstead Heath from spec housing." Read his full article.
