Cheshire Branch
The obelisk is the 'Old Man of Mow' atop Mow Cop a few yards within the Cheshire border from Staffordshire. The vista behind it is mainly of Congleton District, although, in the far distance it is possible to see the Jodrell Bank telescope in Macclesfield District. Photo: John Cleare / Mountain Camera Picture Library
Area Covered
Cheshire CPRE Branch still covers the area which comprised Cheshire County up to the re-organisation of local government in the 1970’s. In addition to the present Cheshire County Council area, therefore, this includes Halton (Widnes and Runcorn), Stockport, Trafford and Warrington. It also includes the former County Boroughs of Wallasey and Birkenhead on the Wirral Peninsula.
What We Do
Lawton Woods, Cheshire
Photo: Nick Kennedy/uklandscape.net
Policy: The Cheshire Branch supports national CPRE campaigns such as ‘Sprawl Patrol’ and ‘Quiet Lanes’ and lobbies for sustainable policies at the County level. See our Campaigns page for more information on current topics
Planning: Much of our planning work is carried out through District Committees (see below), although there is also a County Planning Adviser and major issues are also dealt with by ad hoc working groups. Planning is one of the issues we are most often asked for help on, and CPRE produces information specifically to help in responding to Planning Applications.
Information and Support: The Branch endeavours to respond to all requests for information and to run at least one seminar a year. It supports non-CPRE campaigns where they meet CPRE’s sustainability criteria, it takes the lead in some campaigns and it works with other environmental organisations when there are common goals. It disseminates National Office information and works to maintain the profile of the organisation through media work and hosting exhibition stands at events such as the Royal Horticultural Show.
Parish Councils: We work to help Parish Councils and Amenity Groups address local problems, through providing information and support on matters relating to our work.
Transport: Cheshire CPRE established a Transport Campaign Group in the mid 1990's which, in the past decade, has worked very hard to disseminate messages about the need for sustainable transport and integrating land use planning with transport, regularly engaging with the County Council, the Highways Agency, Government Office and other statutory bodies.