COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE

David Cameron has written for the CA’s quarterly magazine on his experience of the countryside and how important it is to “keep what’s so great about rural Britain”. In the article the PM writes that “the countryside is in (his) blood… the countryside isn’t a vast museum. It’s a buzzing 21st-century economy.” 

Writing in the magazine’s ‘My Countryside’ column, which in recent editions has been written by Mary Creagh (Shadow Environment Secretary), Tim Farron (President of the Liberal Democrats), and Kate Reardon (Editor of Tatler magazine), David Cameron also talks about the importance of protecting the countryside – of particular interest with the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) due to be released by the Government on Tuesday.

He writes: “So for me – as Prime Minister, as a rural constituency MP, and as a private individual – our beautiful British landscape has always been, and will always be, a national treasure which should be loved, enjoyed and protected for everyone’s benefit. The beauty of our landscapes, the particular cultures and traditions that rural life sustains – for me, our countryside is what makes Britain great.”  
Responding to the article, Barney White-Spunner, Executive Chairman of the Countryside Alliance, said:

“I think Alliance members and all who live in the countryside can be very heartened by David Cameron’s words, which will come as a particular relief after living for several years under a Government who didn’t pretend to understand the rural way of life. It also gives me renewed confidence, with the revised planning regulations set to be released next week, that the Prime Minister recognises the need for more rural housing but that he won’t place a countryside he clearly values under threat from unsuitable development.”

Read Mr Cameron's piece here:

Cameron in CA Magazine