The Conservative Party’s commitment to not only protect, but to enhance, the Green Belt has been welcomed by CPRE, the countryside charity as its election manifesto was published today (24 November).

This is in recognition of the health and wellbeing benefits of the countryside next door and its potential to help tackle the climate emergency, both of which were highlighted in CPRE’s manifesto for the next government, published earlier this month.

However, CPRE is disappointed that the Conservative manifesto lacked a significant commitment to build more social homes, which are crucial to end the housing crisis and breathe new life into rural communities.

Crispin Truman, Chief Executive of CPRE, the countryside charity, said:

'We welcome the Conservative Party’s ongoing commitment to protect and enhance the countryside next door to our towns and cities, which is a crucial resource in tackling the climate emergency and improving the health and wellbeing of city dwellers.

However, feted plans to invest in the environment must be spelled out in more detail, and soon. The planet and our countryside cannot wait any longer.

'Less positive is the lack of ambition in tackling the affordable housing crisis in rural communities, particularly the need to deliver significant numbers of social homes.

We’re calling on the next government to invest £12.8 billion a year to provide genuinely affordable homes, including homes for social rent, with a fair proportion allocated for rural communities. This is the only way we can end the housing crisis once and for all.'