Cornwall

CPRE Cornwall

Talk to Truro’s 41 Club

Thursday, April 8^th, 2010

My name is Ted Venn.  I live on the Lizard Peninsula and I’m the Secretary of CPRE Cornwall.   I love being outside and I do a lot of walking, which in this part of the UK is thrilling wherever I go.

CPRE stands for the Campaign to Protect Rural England, though sometime prior to 2003 it was known as the Council for the Protection of Rural England.  It is a registered charity that was founded in 1926 and has the Queen as its patron.  Currently there is a national membership of around 60,000, with each county having its own autonomous branch.   CPRE Cornwall is a registered charity in its own right and has approximately 350 members.  Membership is by paid subscription, which is shared equally between CPRE nationally and CPRE locally.  In this presentation I will be talking about CPRE Cornwall, rather than CPRE as a whole.

The reason for CPRE Cornwall’s existence is to safeguard Cornwall’s most precious asset - its coastline and countryside - from unwanted and unnecessary development.  It’s not that we are against change, but that change does not sacrifice the splendour and usefulness of the county’s rural environment. 

The coastline and countryside are important to Cornwall for a number of reasons:

There are two further reasons that make the countryside important. The tranquillity of the countryside provides welcome relief to the hustle and bustle of urban areas. The lack of light pollution enables the magnificence of the night sky to been seen by everyone, and it also avoids disturbance to wildlife.

The loss of any part of the rural environment will irretrievably damage these benefits, and as a consequence everyone’s quality of life will deteriorate.

The infrastructure of our society - houses, factories, industrial areas, roads, railways, airports and civic amenities, as well as power generation and communications networks - still has to be delivered, though delivery should be in a such way that there is minimal loss to the countryside and coastline.  A balance has to be struck.  Short-term speculative development must not be allowed to tip that balance towards over-development.  Examples of such over-development can be seen in other rural counties of England, along various coastlines around England, and along the Mediterranean coast of Spain where over-development has completely obliterated all traces of the original and natural landscape.  We know what we don’t want, but do we know what we do want?

Cornwall’s environment is special because of its coastline, Bodmin Moor, its unspoilt countryside and sites of historical interest - from New Stone Age (Neolithic) circles and settlements to the many engine houses that remind us of tin mining and Cornwall’s industrial past.  Much of Cornwall is protected by being designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.   The dramatic coastline is recognised for what it is, as much of it forms part of Cornwall’s Heritage Coast.  Furthermore, the South West Coast Path, a very popular long distance footpath, follows the entire coastline of Cornwall - a distance of around 300 miles.  The delightfulness of Cornwall’s environment is its most precious asset - to both residents and visitors alike.  Indeed Cornwall’s economy depends on it - the tourist industry would collapse if the county became over-developed, especially if that development is imposed by Central Government without any regard to local needs or aspirations.  Of course, there are some areas of Cornwall that are unsightly and these areas need to be regenerated rather than to be allowed to fall into further decline whilst newer communities are established.  It’s so easy to say that a thousand homes or so have to be built by a certain time or in a certain place, but it is not just the new homes, it’s the associated infrastructure - schools, shops, hospitals, roads and public transport - that have to be in place as well.

CPRE Cornwall is actively engaged in trying to safeguard the rural environment, and in some cases the urban environment, too.  In the past we have organised annual Best Kept Village Competitions and given grants towards environmentally friendly projects, such as Truro in Bloom, the presentation of tree packs to schools through The Woodland Trust, and a small bursary to Tremough Campus at Penryn to encourage students to undertake research into aspects of Cornwall’s environment.  One such project has already been completed, and this related to the effects of bovine tuberculosis in badgers and cattle on six farms in Cornwall.  The student’s dissertation is currently with DEFRA.

At the present time, CPRE Cornwall is concentrating on the planning system and planning applications in an effort to avoid loss of coastline and countryside.   In 2009, we held two Planning Workshops for parish and towns councils, and various environmental groups. These workshops explained the planning process, as well as the best way to oppose applications, and they coincided with the change to a local unitary authority for Cornwall.   In the same year, 2009, we also launched an Action Plan to assist people and organisations wishing to oppose specific planning applications.  This particular activity was brought about by numerous approaches that had been made to CPRE Cornwall about planning applications that threatened the environment and planning decisions that showed a distinct disregard for the environment.  The third strand to our pro-active approach to planning was brought about by Cornwall Council’s decision not to publish planning applications in local newspapers - something which the Council has now rescinded.   As a direct result of the Council’s decision, we now scrutinise all planning applications every week - and will continue to do so even though applications are now once again published in some local newspapers.  Planning Lists are sent to us weekly from the six planning districts (West 1 to East 2) and from county (Natural Resources).  Applications that might affect the environment are researched and, if it is appropriate, a letter of objection is submitted - mainly on environmental grounds, but also because the application either appears to or does conflict with planning policy.

Of equal importance is participation in the creation of Local Development Frameworks (known as LDF) and the Government inspired Regional Spatial Strategy (known as RSS).  These shape policy for many years to come.  Unfortunately participation with these is more time-consuming than with individual planning applications.  CPRE Cornwall has become involved with both LDFs and the RSS, particularly the RSS, and will continue to do so.  Although these undertakings would appear to dictate what is to happen in the future and in so-doing impose development onto communities, participation in the formation of LDFs and the RSS can, and should, enable local considerations to be fully appreciated and incorporated into the overall plans.  This is essential.  Prior to the 1947 Planning Act, community growth was organic in that development was only undertaken when it was needed.  CPRE Cornwall aspires to return to this philosophy.  In short, we look to a “bottom-up” approach to development, rather than the present “top-down” attitude.

It goes without saying that someone is going to be disappointed with a planning decision.  In some cases, appeals will be made.  Major developers have the funds to challenge Cornwall Council, and recognition of that ability could be a major consideration in the minds of the planning authority when it makes its decision on a planning application.  Where an Appeal is made against Cornwall Council over a decision to refuse a planning application and there are strong environmental grounds to support Cornwall Council’s stance, CPRE Cornwall will back Cornwall Council - and this form of support has been taken in some instances.  On the other hand, where Cornwall Council has allowed development that affects the environment, CPRE Cornwall will consider opposing that decision.  There are two recent instances of CPRE Cornwall taking this action.  The decision to allow another wind farm on the edge of Bodmin Moor, at Davidstow, caused such an outcry of dismay that the Secretary of State has called in the application.  In that instance, CPRE Cornwall has submitted evidence to The Planning Inspectorate to demonstrate that the decision made by Cornwall Council was inappropriate.  In another instance, Cornwall Council allowed the construction of chalets at Criggan Mill, in Mullion, against local opposition and within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  Apart from the inappropriate decision, there were also irregularities with the planning process.  In this case, CPRE Cornwall has lodged an Appeal and this is currently waiting to be heard in the High Court.

In order to help interested parties appreciate the aims and objectives that are being pursued by CPRE Cornwall, we have recently produced a number of Policy Statements.  Apart from the policy that sets out our aims and objectives, the policy documents that have been produced are:

A further policy document is being produced to explain the importance of the rural environment, and this will be entitled:

It will be worthwhile to explain, very briefly, the policies that have been produced for Renewable Energy and Housing.

It is unfortunate that in many cases the term “renewable energy” is taken to mean wind energy.  There are many other forms of renewable energy that can be used in Cornwall; such solar power, tidal power and geo-thermal heat.  However, as tax-payers’ subsidies are paid towards wind turbines and wind farms, there is an inclination for wind turbines to predominate, and this is encouraged by Governmental targets to meet international agreements for the adoption of renewable energy systems.  Despite the intermittency of wind and the fact that wind turbines are inefficient and unreliable, more and more wind turbines are proposed - both onshore and offshore - and many of the onshore turbines are heading for Cornwall!.   Wind turbines can only produce energy between certain wind speeds, so there will always have to be backup available - from power stations that use either fossil fuel or nuclear energy.  Cornwall Council, in justifying its decision on Davidstow, stated that “security of energy outweighed any consideration of the environment”. As far as CPRE Cornwall is concerned wind turbines will change the landscape forever.  It is for that reason that CPRE Cornwall opposes all applications for wind turbines, though not always successfully.   This opposition to wind power does not mean that CPRE Cornwall is against renewable energy and the need to conserve energy in order to deal with climate change - whether or not this is due to mankind or is a naturally re-occurring event.  In its policy document, CPRE Cornwall advocates other forms of renewable energy and the imperative need to be less wasteful.   This latter point does not just reflect the need to use less energy, but the need to conserve it - by the better insulation of all houses, and by managing demand. 

As for housing, CPRE Cornwall’s policy advocates that future development should be based on local needs, local considerations, local projections and the local environment.   Of paramount importance is the need for local communities to be actively engaged in determining where, when and whether new houses are needed in their communities.  It is also essential that the existing infrastructure can support the proposed housing, or if not, that appropriate infrastructure is in place before any housing development takes place.   It should be borne in mind that housing needs are not necessarily addressed by the building of new homes.  More emphasis should be given to the rejuvenation of existing sub-standard housing.  As far as possible, housing development - as well as industrial and commercial development - should be confined to urban “brownfield” sites rather than rural “greenfield” sites that would use up precious farmland and countryside.  It is absolutely vital that urban sprawl does not ruin the rural - and coastal - environment of Cornwall.  At the present time, developers and individual applicants are using the inclusion of “affordable homes” or dwellings for “local needs” in housing schemes as a way to increase their chances of obtaining planning consent, especially within Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and outside of designated development areas.  Whilst recognising that there is a need for “affordable housing”, CPRE Cornwall opposes the current tendency to allow the building of “affordable housing” in areas that should be protected by its status as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  One instance of “affordable housing” being allowed in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty occurred last year with ten such dwellings being allowed at Little Falmouth, near Flushing on the Penryn River.  Again, developers are exploiting a Government inspired loophole, as local authorities endeavour to meet Government targets for the number of “affordable homes” that are required to be built.

It would be wrong to assume that CPRE Cornwall is only concerned with planning applications that threaten the county’s environment.  We do not relish any thought that the countryside should be preserved as a picture postcard idyll.  We support farmers by encouraging the production of local high quality food, and we endeavour to persuade people to buy locally produced food.  The countryside can only survive if the land is productive and useful.   We also need farmers to remain in business because they look after and manage the rural environment - the hedges, copses, fences, and wild life areas.  

CPRE Cornwall also supports the drive to ensure that rural communities remain vibrant, rather than just become dormitory villages and towns, as that would increase traffic on roads as people travel to work.  Obviously many people from villages and towns in the country will have to travel to Truro and other large towns in Cornwall for their work, and shopping, but if rural communities are to thrive then it is worthwhile trying to minimise this need to go elsewhere as far as possible.  CPRE Cornwall supports the retention of local post offices, local schools, local shops and local pubs; the survival of farms; and the development of small craft industries in rural locations.  Once these disappear, rural communities will begin to whither, and perhaps many of the houses will become holiday homes, with the result that many will be empty for a significant part of the year.

One of the best ways to enjoy the beautiful countryside of Cornwall, and its coast line, is to walk along the many public footpaths that can be found all over the county.  Not just the South West Coast Path or the open spaces of Bodmin Moor, but the paths that wind their way between fields, over hills and through valleys.  These public footpaths are maintained by Cornwall Council, parish councils, farmers and landowners.  A great many of these paths are easily accessible, but some are not.  Paths can become lost, especially if they are not used.  Stiles and gates can become difficult to negotiate if not used regularly, or if the farmer or landowner is not sympathetic to walkers.  It is important that all ramblers and walkers respect the Country Code, but the fact that a small minority of people using public footpaths do ignore the Code should not be allowed to alienate farmers and landowners from those wishing to enjoy the delights of a good country walk.  CPRE Cornwall is in regular contact with Cornwall Council in an effort to keep public footpaths open and safe to use.

It is also important that our activities are made known to members and the general public.  We do this in a number of ways:

CPRE Cornwall has its own Website - www.cprecornwall.org.uk - on which reports of activities and events are posted.  The website is also useful in alerting people to controversial planning applications.  There are Editorial comments from time to time and a link to the national CPRE website, as well as to the Chairman of CPRE Cornwall for those wishing to make contact with CPRE Cornwall.

In addition to the website, CPRE Cornwall members receive a quarterly Newsletter, as well as magazines and newsletter from CPRE National Office.  Our newsletter advises members of planning applications that threaten the environment, and reports on events within Cornwall.  We endeavour to send the newsletter electronically to as many members as possible, as postage and printing costs are quite expensive.

We provide the media with Press Releases from time to time, and we have recently appointed Publicity Officers.

I do hope that I have been able to explain the work that CPRE Cornwall undertakes and why the rural environment is so important.  There are many issues that threaten Cornwall’s most precious asset, and CPRE Cornwall is doing all it can to safeguard the county’s rural and coastal environment.  Currently, the most contentious issues are the eco-villages around St Austell; the over-expansion of St Austell; the Truro and Threemilestone Area Action Plan; unnecessary industrial development at Newquay Airport; the waste incinerator at St Dennis; the Davidstow Wind Farm; the re-powering of existing wind farms and the constant proliferation of more and more wind turbines, of all sizes, across the county; and the imposition of housing on the county that will change its character for ever.  There is also increasing concern over the inconsistent way in which Cornwall Council deals with planning applications.  Although we cannot expect to live without any changes, it is important that change is managed and does not result in the destruction of Cornwall’s wonderful countryside and coastline.

The public can assist CPRE Cornwall in its endeavours by becoming members, giving donations, and - most importantly - keeping in touch, so that we can be aware of the threats to and concerns about the environment.   I shall leave a few leaflets with you that have been produced by CPRE nationally, as well as a few more that were produced by CPRE Cornwall in 2008.

And finally, now that there is a General Election before us, people who cherish Cornwall’s countryside and coastline can do one more thing - they can ask candidates for their views and attitude towards the rural environment.  If the replies are dismissive or not convincing then the appropriate action can be taken on May 6^th.  It would also be important to remind candidates that promises made during campaigns should be kept - and that elected politicians should continue to listen to the electorate.  After all, politicians are sent to Westminster to represent their constituents.

Thank you very much for listening to me.