🌲Season's Greetings from CPRE Oxfordshire🌲 On the shortest day, we thank all our supporters for standing up for Oxfordshire’s countryside. Here’s to lighter days ahead and a hopeful year for nature and communities. ❄️

Over 10,000 homes have been approved but remain unbuilt in #Cherwell. Why is the council under increasing pressure to build yet more? We call for urgent planning reform. Read why here: www.cpreoxon.org.uk/news/why-is-...

Congratulations to the campaigners who fought to protect Waterstock’s rich wildlife and diverse ecosystems, landscape and cherished public footpaths for future generations, setting a precedent to protect more Green Belt land against the 'grey belt' definition 👏 www.cpreoxon.org.uk/news/victory...

West Oxfordshire residents, don't forget to get along to one of the events regarding the preferred spatial options for the Local Plan. Get informed and have your say on what gets built where. More info here: www.cpreoxon.org.uk/news/west-ox...

Short-sighted business as usual from the government and not what most people want. Additionally, it's clear that the real hold-up to housebuilding is not nature but an absence of infrastructure. Over 11000 houses with planning permission in #Cherwell not built due to lack of sewage/transport.

Ahem....

Really excited to be exhibiting once again at this fantastic event! Now in its 44th year, the Oxford Green Fair is one of Oxford’s longest running and most popular Christmas markets and gatherings for social and environmental organisations. Come and say hello! @oxfordgreenparty.bsky.social

#WestOxfordshire have launched a 7-week public consultation as part of the development of their #LocalPlan 2043. The consultation runs from 2nd Nov to 22nd Dec with several events across the district. Find out more and have your say! www.cpreoxon.org.uk/news/west-ox...

We've just published our Countryside and Rural Principles for District Councils in Unitary Planning Proposals... 🧵 bit.ly/4nZc1o2 #devolution #localgovernment #unitaryauthorities #oxfordshire

"The new guidelines seem to be so vague, you could argue that many areas - if not all areas around Oxfordshire - could be considered grey belt, and therefore open to development." www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Does your community know what to do in an emergency? @cagoxfordshire.bsky.social and @oxfordshirecc.bsky.social are organising this free 2 hour workshop on Saturday www.tickettailor.com/events/commu... With more climate-related extreme weather events, we need to be prepared!

Last week we met with @freddievanmierlomp.bsky.social for his assurances that he will help to #protectthecountryside in the current push for development and growth at all costs. The current rhetoric of builders vs blockers threatens our most precious resource in the fight against climate change.

An excellent article highlighting not only the shady finances behind the #BotleyWest solar farm, but also the outright hypocrisy of Blenheim estate's attitude to solar panels. observer.co.uk/news/science... #FollowTheMoney

🚨 Abingdon Reservoir costs have TRIPLED to £7.5bn – and bill-payers will pick up the tab. We say it’s time to rethink. Fix leaks first. Read our response 👇 🔗 www.cpreoxon.org.uk/news/abingdon-reservoir-costs-soar-to-7-5-billion-a-wake-up-call-for-better-planning/

🚫 CPRE Oxfordshire strongly opposes the “Greater Oxford” unitary proposal. It threatens the Green Belt with 67,000 new homes, driven by development, not infrastructure. We need homes, yes — but not at the expense of our countryside. bit.ly/4o9BOub #ProtectTheGreenBelt #GreaterOxford

Thames Water's flawed megaproject moves forward unchecked. The question remains: who really benefits from this huge infrastructure project? 💰💰💰 cpreoxon.org.uk/news/thames-... #SESRO #AbingdonReservoir #ThamesWater

Oxfordshire hit with a hosepipe ban despite reservoir levels being at 95% capacity. Meanwhile Thames Water lost 200 billion litres of water last year alone through water leaks - equivalent to 570 million litres a day! www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2531839...

We'll be joining thousands in Westminster on 9 July to meet our MPs and stand for a fairer, healthier, safer future. 🌱💚 Join us! www.theclimatecoalition.org/act-now-chan... #ActNowChangeForever

Light pollution damages wildlife, disrupting and killing insects, bats and migrating birds, and can also disrupt human sleep leading to long-term health problems. It is also one form of pollution that we can instantly stop. Oxon residents, take part in this survey... letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/pnl

Thames Water "should be spending money plugging leaks and preventing sewage spewing into rivers. Instead, it is asked to embark on projects paid for by customers that boost its asset base. What’s not to like, from the water company’s point of view?" www.theguardian.com/business/202...

The decision to approve Thames Water's mega-reservoir without a public inquiry is being scrutinised in the High Court. 8 storeys high and covering the size of Gatwick Airport, government data suggests it's not necessary. www.cpreoxon.org.uk/news/thames-... #SESRO #ThamesWater #AbingdonReservoir

Please consider signing this petition to amend the definition of what constitutes 'grey belt' land in the recently revised NPPF. The current definition is so broad that it could include almost any Green Belt land. Let's not lose this precious space. www.cpreherts.org.uk/news/save-ou...

We'll be joining this public meeting with @oxfordfoe.bsky.social, @wclnews.bsky.social and @bbowt.bsky.social to talk about what the Government is and should be doing in relation to Nature and Climate. If you're free and in the area, we hope to see you there. actionnetwork.org/events/oxfor...

Light pollution is hugely detrimental to wildlife - and humans - and is the one type of pollution we can instantly stop. Oxfordshire County Council is looking for feedback to their draft part-night street lighting framework. Let them know what you think. letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/pnl

It's shocking that this sort of thing is allowed to go on without proper regulation. How has it come to this?

Today the Planning and Infrastructure Bill enters the report stage at the House of Commons, allowing MPs to join the debate and propose changes. We’re calling on the government to amend the Bill so it truly delivers for people, nature and the countryside www.cpre.org.uk/news/plannin...

"The CCT is not a serious trial, but a publicity stunt, designed to give the impression of due diligence where none, in fact exists." bit.ly/45ghhND The judicial review into DEFRA's decision not to hold a public inquiry will take place in June. Link to petition in comments 👇

Yesterday we spoke at the open floor hearings as part of the public inquiry into Botley West solar farm. Only 0.6% of England’s surface area is required to fulfil the Government’s target for solar energy by 2040. Decarbonising mustn't cost us the countryside. www.cpreoxon.org.uk/news/cpre-ox...

Following the recent local elections, here's a good selection of accounts to follow (including ours!)

Time for Ed Miliband to get smart on solar. Whether you want solar over your own head, are keen to see your local supermarket decked out in #rooftopsolar, or are concerned about the solar farm proposal down the road - add your name. takeaction.cpre.org.uk/page/170411/...

Great idea to promote safer streets and active travel. If you're a kid with a bike in the Oxford area, make sure you get down to Gloucester Green next Sunday!

This is very sad. Once upon a time our rivers were drinkable, now we're scared to swim in them...

This local election day, we're asking candidates to consider 6 key topics... 1. 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 🏠 we need ambitious targets for social rent, genuinely affordable housing. High density, well designed homes with infrastructure in place to support them are an urgent priority.

We’re in the final stretch! Just 24 hours left to donate to the Big Give Green Match Fund — every pound you give will be doubled, helping us launch our #RooftopRenewables project, empowering rural communities to adopt solar🌞 donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

"Like austerity, deregulation tends not to save money, but to shift costs from the rich to the poor and the private sector to the state." theguardian.com/commentisfre... @georgemonbiot.bsky.social hits the nail on the head again...

Our #RooftopsRenewables fundraiser is live, helping us to empower rural communities #switchtosolar, saving money, emissions, and the countryside! Huge thanks to everyone who's donated so far - we're a third of the way there. Every £ doubled til Tuesday🌞 bit.ly/42CRYE1

Earth Day is a reminder that we only have one planet. Sometimes, it takes seeing Earth from space to truly grasp how precious it is. 🧵⬇️ (1/4)

83% of the British public wants the government to do MORE to tackle the climate crisis Remember that when you hear Farage and Badenoch opposing net zero and claiming to be tribunes of the people - they’re really just doing the fossil fuel industry’s bidding www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Happy #EarthDay! 🌍 Today we're launching our #BigGive fundraiser for #RooftopRenewables when all donations will be DOUBLED for a week. The urgent need to transition to clean energy needn't come at the cost of the countryside. Please give if you can 🙏 donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

Happy Easter to all our followers 🐣

Two large solar farms previously rejected by Cherwell council are now up for appeal. Only 0.6% of England is required for solar energy so we must be selective about where we produce it. We need a Renewable Strategy which protects the countryside. bit.ly/4lriGGN #RooftopRenewables

Well worth a read... www.cpre.org.uk/opinions/meg... #rooftopsolar #rooftoprenewables

Seems like the UK government is out of touch... "71% of the public would support increased planning protections for green and blue spaces, including fields, woodland, community parks, national parks, rivers, lakes and streams." www.theguardian.com/politics/202... #protectnature #teamnewt

We support the reopening of Wantage and Grove railway station. It is a vital public transport link, improving access and employment opportunities for these communities, whilst also improving parking and traffic congestion at Didcot Parkway station. www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2500417...

CPRE Oxfordshire is currently looking for a Treasurer to join our dedicated team of trustees. By volunteering with us, you will be joining a friendly and passionate team, helping to find positive solutions for the issues facing the countryside. Get in touch via our website

Please sign the petition to save this 31 year old food forest, a vital example of sustainable agriculture 🌿 www.agroforestry.co.uk/save-darting...

Encore! 👏👏👏 www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2497820... #rooftoprenewables

The Planning & Infrastructure Bill is being introduced this week, offering an opportunity to make positive changes to our under-resourced planning system, making it work for both people and the countryside. Here are our ten asks... www.cpre.org.uk/explainer/te... @cprecountryside.bsky.social #PIB

More than 75% of the #BotleyWest site falls within the #GreenBelt, making it the biggest ever single loss of Green Belt land within Oxfordshire... At a time when food security is so crucial these proposals seem misguided and unwise. www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/news/2498362...

Delighted that many of our suggestions have been taken on board for the Cherwell Local Plan, with greater emphasis on energy efficiency, increased Local Green spaces and protection of Green Belt land. Final comments will be submitted today. www.cpreoxon.org.uk/news/cherwel... #LocalDemocracy