A MORE beautiful countryside is key to a better future, claim campaigners.

The optimistic vision for the English countryside was set out by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) on Monday (11 May).

The manifesto describes the countryside as England's greatest national asset.

It sets out the CPRE's vision for rural England in 2026, the charity's centenary year.

The document pictures a countryside that is used and valued by everyone, helping to create a healthier, less stressed nation.

A beautiful, living countryside has always been valuable, says the manifesto.

In tough economic times, and with people facing growing stresses in their lives, it should be priceless, said Shaun Spiers, CPRE chief executive.

"There tends to be an unrelenting pessimism that our countryside won't survive the pressures it faces from built development, climate change and the impacts of globalisation.

"There is worryingly little confidence that the countryside can actually be improved - that it can become more beautiful and richer in wildlife, with well designed and well planned developments that contribute to both its appearance and its vitality.

"But that is our vision and we are confident that with the right political and civic leadership and a consensus on how we should value and safeguard our rural heritage, this vision can be achieved."

The document suggests successful urban regeneration could contribute to more green space, affordable housing, vibrant neighbourhoods and people-friendly transport.

It paints a picture where over two million high quality homes have been created, but property is not seen principally as an investment: homes are for living in.

In addition, a democratic planning system sees more decisions taken locally and environmentally sustainable development.

Planning should not just be seen as a tool for promoting economic development, the manifesto suggests.

Mr Spiers said: "The British countryside is a great resource for the whole country, essential to our wellbeing and our sense of identity."

He added: "Although most of the countryside is lovely, and often breathtakingly so, parts of it are not as beautiful or useful or accessible as they should be."

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Don't get it
written by Graham Mitchell, April 14, 2009

I've got to say this story is utterly confusing. Is it an April Fool's gag? I presume that all of the services available via these kiosks are accessible online. If so, why not invest the money spent on the kiosks in ensuring that the community has good quality connectivity, that PCs are readily available in libraries and suchlike, and that citizens have access to the skills required. Altogether a more holistic solution offering much broader benefits.

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written by David Gray, April 14, 2009

Our Internet kiosks were installed last July in three local villages. So far nobody has used them since the 'grand opening ceremony'. Most of the additional services that these kiosks are supposed to do provide can either already be done over the telephone or can be done face-to-face when we have to go to the local town anyway to do our shopping. So far these have proved to be a complete waste of money. There was no enthusiasm for them in the first place, but we were told that the money could not be spent on things that we did actually need, so it was allowed to go ahead. I am not at all dimissive of technology, but the money would have been far better spent towards providing a mast so we could have mobile phone network coverage

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