CPRE member Marina cycles for countryside

On Tuesday 5th September cyclist Dr Marina Voikhanskaya, 72, from Norfolk, arrived in the picturesque village of Kingsclere, to be met by the Vice-Chairman of Kingsclere Parish Council, Mr Peter Goff, Mr Julian Pilcher, Chairman of the North Hampshire Group of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), and other members of CPRE. Marina is currently cycling 500 miles around the East & South of England, to draw attention to CPRE's work and the threat to the countryside proposed in the draft East of England Plan and the draft South East Plan.

The group met in the grounds of the lovely Parish Church of St Mary's, where Peter and Julian formally welcomed Marina, and explained to the attentive group why Kingsclere had been chosen as a stop-off point on Marina's 500 mile journey. Julian explained:

"We need to highlight the particular threats being posed to this beautiful part of North Hampshire which falls into the so-called Western Corridor High Development Area created by the draft South East Plan. The designation of this area includes Kingsclere, Burghclere, Sydmonton and Hannington, as well as such beauty spots as Watership Down and Beacon Hill."

The group were then taken to Plantation Hill, which gave a very good view along the escarpment of White Hill, Beacon Hill, and Watership Down with the plain below to the North. All of this area is within the boundary of the high development area. The whole group agreed it would be devastating to lose the beauty and tranquillity of this area.

Marina is hoping that her sponsored cycle ride will highlight the threatened areas, but she also emphasises that this threat to the countryside is happening nationally, throughout the whole of England, not just the South & East.

If you would like to become involved, CPRE is always looking for active volunteers who can help in the battle against over-development.

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CPRE/H/082A

Notes to editors

CPRE Hampshire strives to promote the beauty, tranquility and diversity of the countryside of Hampshire by the sustainable use of land and other resources in town and country, and encouraging the biodiversity and well-being of rural communities.

The North Hampshire District Group is part of the Hampshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

For information on CPRE, please contact:
Becky French or Pam Mason, CPRE Hampshire
Tel: 01962 843655
Email:admin@cprehampshire.org.uk

For all media enquiries, please contact:
Keren Burney, media & communications officer, CPRE Hampshire
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