Dear John,

The first half of the year has flown by, and it’s certainly been a busy six months here at CPRE HQ. The past few weeks have been no different, full of momentum, ideas, and action. We’re so grateful to have you following along as we continue to champion the countryside and the communities who call it home.

This past weekend, we released our latest report on solar, it reveals two-thirds of mega solar farms are built on productive farmland meaning the loss of land equal to 1,300 football pitches. We’re calling for 60% of solar to come from rooftops to protect our best soils for food production and to minimise impact on valued landscapes. Not just our homes but car parks, warehouses and other large roof spaces should be part of the clean energy solution.

In case you missed it, we also shared our reflections on the government’s first year in office: where progress is being made, and where we believe it must go further. We also proudly supported Rural Housing Week to highlight homelessness in rural areas. We say it's time to redefine 'affordable', support smaller builders, and ensure rural communities get the homes they need.

Finally, as the Planning and Infrastructure Bill makes its way through parliament, don’t forget to tell your MP to keep local voices in planning decisions.

Keep scrolling for more updates from the last month, including the launch of our guidance on new towns.

Our new report on mega solar in the countryside

Our new report shows that nearly two-thirds of land currently used for solar farms is productive farmland. And some sites are built entirely on top-grade land, the best for food production. These are the best soils, used to produce cereal crops, salad, fruit and vegetables.

But there is another way. By prioritising solar on rooftops, car parks and brownfield sites, we could hit clean energy targets without losing vital farmland. We’re calling for 60% of the UK’s solar to be generated on rooftops and a ban on solar farms on the highest two grades of farmland.

Standing up for National Landscapes

At the end of June, CPRE Kent's legal challenge against a housing development at Turnden in the High Weald National Landscape was dismissed. While the outcome is disappointing, it brought a key legal clarification: decision-makers now have a stronger duty to actively protect and enhance England’s National Landscapes.

Thank you to everyone who supported this action, your backing helps defend the places we love.

Getting new towns right

The government’s plan to build 12 new towns offers a vital chance to address the housing crisis and what an opportunity to get things right from the start. We’ve published a set of principles for new towns done well. We say brownfield sites close to existing public transport should be prioritised, and new towns should place nature and green spaces at their heart. Most importantly, these towns should be shaped with local communities from day one, delivering genuinely affordable homes and high environmental standards.

The Solar Roadmap: Wins, challenges, and what's next

At the start of July, the government released its new Solar Roadmap, which shows its plan to upscale solar to help us get to net zero. There’s good news, and important campaign wins for us, but there’s a big gap in solving the problems of big solar on the ground. We want to see communities engaged with from the start, our best farmland saved for food production and strategic planning which protects rural communities and the countryside.

Best wishes,