Countryside

We value the English countryside for its beauty, diversity and tranquillity. We want a countryside that is used and valued by everyone, and where people are in tune with the environment and aware of their impact on it.

 

Tranquil places
Tranquillity is important for everyone – for our hearts, minds and bodies. Aircraft, cars, roads and building developments are all eroding tranquillity. We've found a way to measure and help protect tranquillity with our maps. The tranquillity of the North York Moors is a haven for both human and animal life.

It is our belief that more importance has to be placed on tranquillity. CPRE North Yorkshire campaigns to protect the tranquillity of our countryside both within and outside the two National Parks in the county.

 

Dark skies
Enjoying a view of the night sky with many stars is becoming rarer with increasing light pollution from poorly designed lighting. We are pressing for planning guidance to control lighting.

North Yorkshire County Council recently announced it would reduce the number of uneccesary street lights. Every journey begins with a small step and we welcome this announcement. CPRE Craven, an active district of North Yorkshire, have campaigned hard to ensure our night skies are unpolluted.

 

Hedgerows
Hedgerows are living things that need to be managed to stay in good condition. To better protect hedgerows we need stronger regulation and more funding to support the work farmers do in maintaining them. Hedgerows, like our dry stone walls are a key part of our biodiversity superhighway. This country has lost hundreds of miles of hedgerows over the past 50 years. We campaign to protect the hedgerows of North Yorkshire and push for more legislation to protect them. Recent applications have included the 'translocation of ancient hedgerows' - Madeleine Beaufoy, one of our members, led the way in illustrating that there is no data to support than an 'ancient' hedgerow can indeed be translocated.