campaigns

ESSEX GIVES FIRM SUPPORT TO NATIONAL TRANQUILLITY CAMPAIGN

At a time when CPREssex is battling against the prospect of over-development, a new national campaign has highlighted the areas of tranquillity across England – and Essex doesn’t fare too well.

The CPRE national office launched a major campaign in October 2006 which measures one of the most important and treasured features of the countryside – tranquillity. It’s a precious resource that has been measured and mapped by the researchers of Newcastle and Norrthumbria Universities.

The new maps show how tranquillity can vary significantly between urban and rural areas. Those looking for ‘places to relax’ may still find them in parks and small nature reserves in towns and cities. It’s not always about isolation – although the most tranquil region of England is the North East.

No-one will be surprised to learn that London and the South East is the least tranquil area. The life-style is probably more stressful and ‘getting away from it all’ is that much more difficult.

So how do we fare in Essex. There’s good news and bad news. The rise in development and growth of the population in recent years has meant large areas of the county – especially in the West – are red blotches on the map. So too are the major roads, the M11, A12, A130, A120, A127 for example. But tranquillity survives along the coastal fringes. The Dengie Peninsular, Foulness Island and Mersea are coloured yellow and green on the map. So, too, are places in the north of the county.

If we are to preserve that unique tranquillity that can ease the turmoil of daily life then we have to make sure the Government realise that some protection must be given to avoid further shrinkage and fragmentation of tranquill areas. The prospects are worrying.

The spectrum of colours ranges from deep red - within towns, cities and along major roads - shading through orange and yellow to rich green in the most unspoilt areas of deep countryside with big views and little man-made noise

New buildings and infrastructure are the main problem. A greenfield area of 27 square miles – nearly the size of Leicester – vanishes under bricks, mortar, concrete and asphalt each year.
More traffic and expanding roads are a major cause. Government forecasts that traffic levels will increase by 31% between 2000 and 2015
The growth of air traffic is a serious issue with Stansted being a major concern. Take-offs and landings throughout the UK have doubled over the past 20 years. Passenger numbers are likely to treble over the next 30 years.
An increase in outdoor lighting causes sky glow to spread, blotting out the stars – and tranquillity suffers.
Over the coming months, CPRE will be promoting the positive effects of tranquillity and its value in our daily lives. It’s becoming more difficult to find places to relax and enjoy a green, undamaged environment and that applies to rural as well as urban areas.

Essex is caught up in the growth and development of the country’s most prosperous region…and it could get worse if the East of England Plan and the Thames Gateway scheme get Government approval in their present form. The new CPRE research campaign has clearly shown that tranquillity and landscape are closely linked – and both are under threat. But it’s not too late to do something about it.

West and South Essex show large areas of red on the Eastern Region map with more green and yellow 'tranquil' parts across Cambridgeshire and North Norfolk.

Anyone wanting further details should contact Press Officer David Williams on 01702-710232. email: press@cpressex.org.uk

DAVID WILLIAMS

GOVERNMENT ADVERTISE THEIR DISPLEASURE OVER BILLBOARD BLIGHT

Next time you drive along the A130, the A120, the A13 or A12, don’t get distracted by the latest curse on the highways – the advertising billboard. They’ve proliferated in recent years – but now the Government has been prompted into action after a persistent and well-managed campaign by CPRE National Office to have these eyesores removed.

One thing we can still be proud of is that our main roads – motorways and other trunk routes – have not been blighted by the American-style obsession for erecting huge signs that advertise everything from health foods to hotel accommodation. They’re impossible to ignore and, worse of all, they are ugly, intrusive and could easily upset a driver’s concentration.

The habit has been creeping across the British network. There are billboard hotspots around the country notably the M62 between Hull and Manchester and A 1 near Pontefract.

In Essex, the threat has been increasing. Along the A 130 for example there are two strategically-placed former Post Office trailers in the nearby fields which act as hoardings. Presumably advertisers pay to have their services or products displayed prominently on them – right in the eye-line of the motorist. It’s not unusual to see signs advertising car boot sales, tyres and insurance on boards which are strategically placed in fields close to the main roads.

CPRE National Office has been lobbying hard on this issue – and now they have finally convinced Yvette Cooper, the Planning Minister, that something should be done to curb this growth.

Ms Cooper has instructed planning officers to work closely with the Highways Agency to ensure that these advertisements are not a risk to motorists. She wants advertisers to go through the planning system and consult local councils before setting up a billboard.

She also wants councils to set up a data-base of persistent offenders who display illegal advertisements or posters.

Farmers and land-owners may grumble at the loss of additional revenue by setting up these billboards on their land but CPRE will certainly be pleased that a determined campaign to highlight this problem has finally produced a positive response from the Government.

PANEL RECOMMENDS INCREASE IN HOUSING TARGETS

EAST OF ENGLAND PLAN GETS BROAD APPROVAL

In a 260-page report, the independent panel who have spent four-months listening to conflicting opinions on the draft East of England Plan, have given their broad support to a scheme which will shape the region’s future.

In fact, they have gone further and suggested that even more homes should be built in the Eastern Region by 2021. They have raised the original target by 27,500 to an astonishing 505,500.

Imagine that! Over half-million new homes going up in the next 15 years - and a lot of them will be in and around Chelmsford, Colchester, Thurrock and Basildon.

But is that kind of increase sustainable? The demands on the transport infrastructure of Essex will create even horrendous problems as well as eating up more land to provide new roads. And what about new schools and health facilities? Will these get priority? Yet the Panel were concerned about the environmental implications of the East of England Plan. Global warming cannot be ignored so there will have to be a marked change or even a reversal of attitudes in water usage, energy consumption and waste management.

Water is a critical issue, especially in Essex. The panel want to see all new developments introduce features and technology that produce a 25 per cent saving on what we all use at present.

The one piece of good news in the Panel’s report was a reprieve for North Weald and Harlow North. Both were earmarked for thousands of new homes but the Panel has not endorsed this section of the Plan. The often-heard phrase “concreting over the countryside” was a gross exaggeration said the Panel. Even with such a massive development and the likely loss of Green Belt land, Essex would be left with plenty of beautiful countryside.

The Panel’s report now goes to the Secretary of State Ruth Kelly who runs the newly-created Communities and Local Government Department. If she accepts the recommendations of the Panel then we can expect some deep and permanent damage to the Essex landscape. The County will become like a giant suburb of London and the way-of-life for hundreds of thousands will become less attractive.

The full report is on the Regional Assembly web site www.eera.gov.uk

21^st June 2006