Press Release: 29th September 2011

CPRE's local planning campaign at full throttle

National planning changes would affect Barton Farm

The Campaign to Protect Rural England's Hampshire team is very pleased to hear about the Inspector's decision refusing the application on Barton Farm, which the charity has always felt to be an inappropriate development for the setting of Winchester.

However, the charity's chairman, Christopher Napier said today:

"The proposals for the planning system set out in the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) would lead to many Greenfield sites being developed in locations which are not appropriate, including around Winchester. We would urge everyone to support CPRE in our campaign to get these proposals re-written by joining us, writing to your MP and signing the online petitions of the National Trust and 38 Degrees."

Local volunteer, Mrs Chris Slattery, a member of CPRE and secretary to the Save Barton Farm Group, has long campaigned to save the countryside at Barton Farm. She said:

"We have always campaigned for use of Brownfield First, with Greenfield only to be used as a last resort."

Chris has written to thank CPRE for the charity's expertise in planning and its tremendous guidance and support which has enabled her to support the SBFG (Save Barton Farm Group) team through the Public Inquiry. In 2010, Chris was presented with a CPRE Countryside Medal for her outstanding work in the community to protect the countryside.

To write to your MP you can use a template letter prepared by CPRE Hampshire at www.cprehampshire.org.uk (RTF format for use with MS Word, Writer etc. - opens in new window) or go to http://bit.ly/p1FbsC for a template that you can personalise and send by email. To sign the petition please visit: https://www.planningforpeople.org.uk/ or http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/save-our-countryside.

Telephone Becky French at the CPRE Hampshire office on 01962 779185 with any questions.

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CPRE/H/219 (South Downs and Central)

Notes to editors

1. More details on the proposed National Planning Policy Framework can be found at: http://bit.ly/pNluxz

2. CPRE Hampshire foresees the consequences of the new Framework as:

• A top-down mandate to local authorities to approve development; the presumption has to be "yes", even if approval would override the Local Plan
• No more protection of countryside for its intrinsic character and beauty
• No more priority for brownfield to be used before greenfields are built on
• The much vaunted 'Localism in planning' becomes meaningless - refusal by a local authority to reflect local views would easily be overturned on appeal
• Transport grounds would not normally be a basis for refusal.

3. CPRE Hampshire strives to promote the beauty, tranquillity 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.

For all media enquiries, please contact:
Keren Burney, media & communications officer, CPRE Hampshire
Tel: 01730 894123   Mobile: 07876 780065
Email: kburney@compege.co.uk

For information on CPRE, please contact:
Anthony McEwen, Director, CPRE Hampshire
Tel: 01962 779185   Mobile: 07717 296025
Email:anthony.mcewen@cprehampshire.org.uk