by Pam Mason, Administrator, CPRE Hampshire

After two successful Pilot projects in Hampshire and Shropshire, CPRE is launching an action pack titled "Unlocking the Landscape" in May 2006. This is an action pack designed to equip a community with the tools to be able to produce its own Community Landscape Character Statement. The statement describes and champions the special qualities of the countryside, as perceived by the local community, and is designed to be used as a Supplementary Planning Document, helping to inform local decisions on planning applications and to be used by farmers to help apply for land management funding.

Abigail Jarvis, a final year student studying for a degree in 'Tourism & Heritage Management' at the University of Winchester, has spent the past six months working part-time at the Branch Office in Winchester. Her project was to evaluate the document Unlocking the Landscape, and to perform a Landscape Character Assessment within a local Parish.

As a result of Abi's efforts, 13 people turned up on a cold mid-winter day to walk the footpaths and bridleways of Chilbolton, in the Test Valley, to study the local landscape and collect information in the form of local knowledge & photos of the area. In the afternoon, in the warmth of the local village hall, the same people got together to take part in some practical activities designed to pull together all the assimilated information, which was then taken away by Abi and collated into a Community Landscape Character Statement for Chilbolton. This document has been passed to Chilbolton Parish Council, and we hope that this document will be formally adopted by them to complement their Village Design Statement.

Abi has also produced an evaluation of the action pack, which will be passed to CPRE National Office. Abi says

"I have thoroughly enjoyed working at CPRE Hampshire on the Countryside Character Project. I have met many like-minded people, and it has allowed me to gain important work experience and develop essential skills. I would like to thank Pam Mason for mentoring me whilst undertaking my placement, and other CPRE members including John Cooper, Chris Slattery and Lizzie Laird who have helped me achieve my aim".