Posts by Nemone Caldwell

Image credit OpenStreetMap CPRE Oxfordshire is passionate about making the countryside a better place for everyone to enjoy. Our team of volunteers inspire people to care for and enjoy the benefits of the countryside wherever they live. Volunteering with us is a fantastic opportunity to be involved with a dynamic organisation championing environmental issues such…

A significant reduction in severe light pollution levels, first recorded during lockdown last year, has continued, according to the results of a nationwide star count. Despite lockdown being well and truly behind us there does not appear to have been a corresponding increase in light levels from outdoor and street lighting.  The ‘lockdown legacy’ of…

Opening consultation on the South Oxfordshire & Vale of White Horse Joint Local Plan 2041 has launched and runs until 23 June 2022. Take the time to have your say – getting these Local Plan policies right is critical for good place making, including protecting and enhancing our countryside. For more information and to respond…

The Environment Agency (Defra) released the 2021 sewage discharge figures for England in March. The data is provided by Water and Sewage Companies (WaSCs) annually and provides information for monitored storm overflows, the 1,800 without monitors are planned to be fitted by end of 2023.Download the data from the Defra website here. According to Surfers…

To celebrate the importance of our hedgerows CPRE has developed the ‘Hedgerow Detective’ lesson plans in collaboration with Countryside Classroom. Suitable for Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils, children will learn about:the importance of hedgerows and how they help the environment;the animals and plants that live in hedgerows. We have developed teachers’ notes for both key…

CPRE Oxfordshire has huge concerns about the cumulative impact of three separate giant warehouse developments proposed for countryside surrounding Junction 10 of the M40. These developments are planned for rural sites, with critical loss of green fields and serious impact on a number of villages including Baynards Green, Fritwell, Ardley, Middleton Stoney and Heyford Park…

Planning is being sought for a solar farm near Burcot, South Oxfordshire – a 57 hectare site in the Oxford Green Belt. The site is just a short distance from the controversial 123 hectare site at Nuneham Courtenay that was recently granted permission. CPRE Oxfordshire oppose the application. It is within the Oxford Green Belt…

CPRE Oxfordshire is calling for a properly thought out strategy for the location of renewable energy, as more of Oxfordshire’s farmland is targeted by solar companies. With applications increasing dramatically, the countryside charity has published a map showing existing solar installations in the county and those currently under consideration. See:   Oxfordshire Solar Farms Map Helen…

Image – Nicola Schafer We were delighted to have George Eustice, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, pay a visit to one of our Hedgerow Hero project sites this morning. CPRE and Wild Oxfordshire have been working with the community groups and parish councils of Kidlington, Watlington and Eynsham to plant…

PLEASE RESPOND TO THE LATEST CONSULTATION ON THE ABINGDON RESERVOIR – BY MONDAY 14 MARCH Water Resources South East (a group of water companies including Thames Water and Affinity Water) are currently consulting on their Emerging Regional Plan for the area.  The Abingdon Reservoir is central to this Plan, with proposals to start in 2025.…