Oxfordshire is an astonishingly beautiful county with its rolling green fields, ancient woodlands and glorious riversides.
But it is threatened by urban sprawl, roads and industry. The demand for housing means many of our green spaces are sacrificed when previously developed land could be re-used instead. We suffer traffic and aircraft noise, litter and fly-tipping and the dirty orange glare of light pollution. Rural communities are threatened. Local people lack affordable housing, post offices close and local shops fold. Without thriving villages, who will look after the countryside we love?
Oxfordshire's countryside is unique, essential, precious and finite – and it’s in danger. Every year, a little bit more is lost forever to urban sprawl, new roads, housing and other developments. Intensive farming is changing the character of the countryside. Climate change, too, will have a serious impact farming and on our flora and fauna.
Standing up for your countryside
We work locally in Oxfordshire and through our national office in London to stand up for the countryside: to protect it from the threats it faces, and to positively shape its future.
The thing about CPRE's work is that you don't notice it. People only notice the beautiful rolling farmland, the hedges, woods and trees alive with birds, the biodiverse field margins - and they have no idea how hard won it can be to keep it that way.
CPRE has been standing up for the Oxfordshire countryside for more than 80 years. In that time, we’ve seen some remarkable successes. We were instrumental in creating Oxford's Green Belt, helping to preserve the city's unique character and prevent urban sprawl. And we’ve influenced countless planning decisions that have helped preserved the special character of the Oxfordshire countryside.
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