• 460,000 houses being planned for land that will be released from the Green Belt, while the percentage of ‘affordable’ homes built continues to fall

  The Green Belt remains under severe pressure, despite government commitments to its protection, according to a new report from the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).

• Tree Preservation Order is proposed to protect the trees from development - see petition on rbwm.gov.uk - deadline 8th February 2018
• Our Green Belt: worth investing in - much wildlife depends on the Green Belt; Farming is a way of life round our homes; the Green Belt is a great place for free recreation.  The new report can be downloaded from  www.cpre.org.uk/ourgreenbelt .  Ministerial decisions and written statements have made it clear that housing shortfalls do not amount to the 'exceptional circumstances' needed to allow development in the Green Belt.  Some recent planning appeals have protected our landscapes - others have undermined them.  It is proving as challenging as ever to protect our 'Berkshire countryside'.

• Our rural communities are facing a housing crisis of their own - a lack of genuinely affordable housing. Without them, how are our rural towns and villages going to thrive?

• Up to one million new homes planned across the Cambridge-Milton Keynes-Oxford growth corridor by 2050
• Important choices remain- not least on the environmental quality; to keep within the Paris climate agreement to limit temperature rise to below 2 degrees; concentrated flight paths; loss of green belt land ; general increase of aviation noise; the air pollution research; the Government's strategy for delivering cleaner air has yet again been found by the Courts to be deficient. The High Court ruled in October 2016 that the Government had failed to take adequate measures to meet the legal requirements and estimates for compliance dates based on over-optimistic modelling of pollution levels.
• The construction of a third runway at Heathrow will significantly increase noise and air pollution for those that live near and dent the UK’s chances of meeting its carbon emission reductions targets.

           For national aviation news check out www.airportwatch.org.uk  

•  Latest Onshore Wind Guidance  (for responding to planning applications)

 STOP PRESS

• CPRE Berkshire Branch AGM - 8th August 2018- speaker is Richard Knox-Johnston, Chair of the London Green Belt Council

           New Chairman:  John Hudson was elected at the AGM held in the Long Gallery at Englefield House

• Historical Luncheon - 8th November at Goring & Streatley Golf Club - tickets available now £32 for two course lunch

         Speaker: Clive Williams OBE.  This is a very popular venue by members & guests.