Stop the Drop!

CPRE's new Stop the Drop campaign against litter and fly-tipping was launched on Wednesday 16th April by our President, Bill Bryson.

Click the link below to find out how your local authority fared in the latest Encams survey.

Full 'Stop the Drop!' story

Eco-Towns Shortlist announced

Housing Minister Caroline Flint has announced a shortlist of 15 sites for the development of ‘eco-towns’ – environmentally friendly towns with at least 5,000 homes, local facilities, low-carbon technologies and good public transport.

Cheshire CPRE spoke out strongly against a bid for an eco-town in countryside near Wardle, which was then dropped in the face of opposition, but we were optimistic about a proposed eco-town at Carrington, Trafford, which we felt could meet CPRE’s 10 tests for eco-towns and benefit existing communities in this part of South Manchester.

We were therefore disappointed to see that the Carrington bid did not make the shortlist.

Full 'Eco-Towns Shortlist announced' story

Do we really need 3 million new homes?

The government wants to build 3 million new homes by 2020. But we feel they are taking too much of a chance in sacrificing our countryside and environment by predicting what we MIGHT need rather than planning for what we WILL need.

A new CPRE poll shows that the majority of people are concerned about government plans for massive house-building.

Those questioned worried that local communities will be overwhelmed by huge new housing estates, and wanted government to do more to regenerate our towns and cities, and to make use of the 700,000 homes that are standing empty. The North West has the highest proportion of empty homes in the country.

We want the housing Minister to think again!

If you share these concerns, folow the link below for more information and to take action.

Full 'Do we really need 3 million new homes?' story

M6 – Hard shoulder option could reduce congestion in the short term

The Transport Secretary announced on 4th March that Active Traffic Management measures including the opening of hard shoulders during traffic jams could be used on the M6 through Cheshire and Staffordshire.

CPRE has opposed expensive, environmentally damaging and land-hungry schemes for increasing capacity between Junction 11a and Junction 19, and welcomes the new measures as an interim solution.

However, the long-term challenge must still be tackled: we have to reduce traffic, not just create room for more if we are to avoid gridlock and cut pollution.

And the £3 billion scheme to widen the motorway along this stretch has not yet been taken off the agenda.

Full 'M6 – Hard shoulder option could reduce congestion in the short term' story

Latest on Cheshire Split

The Draft Order for dividing the county into two unitary authorities was approved by MPs at the end of February, and debated in the House of Lords on 4th March. After a very lengthy session, the Lords voted against an amendment calling for further consultation with the people of Cheshire.

While Cheshire CPRE has remained neutral on this issue, we have provided information and encouraged people to take part in local democracy by making their views known.

All local authorities in Cheshire County are already working to ensure a smooth transition to the new councils, but for those who are not in favour of the change, a 10 Downing Street e-petition protesting against the split is still running. Click the link below to have your say.

Full 'Latest on Cheshire Split' story

ACT NOW TO PROTECT LOCAL DEMOCRACY IN PLANNING!

The Planning Bill currently going through Parliament will weaken your right to have a say in the building of major infrastructure projects such as power stations, incinerators, roads and airports.

Follow this link to protect your democratic rights and our countryside

Full 'ACT NOW TO PROTECT LOCAL DEMOCRACY IN PLANNING!' story

CPRE Cheshire Ecards

Have you tried our ecard facility? Four randomly chosen ecards are shown above - click on an image to send an ecard, or view all of our ecards at once.