CPRE Wiltshire - The Countryside Charity

19/06/2026

A highly controversial proposal for a massive solar and battery storage facility at Whistle Mead in Chalfield, near Melksham, is headed to appeal.This comes after Wiltshire Council previously turned down the initial planning application.

Here is what you need to know about the disputed project:

The Scale of the Proposal
Developer: Blue Stone Renewables I Ltd.

Infrastructure: More than 31,000 solar panels, with each standing at 2.7 metres tall.

Footprint: The solar array and battery storage units would cover 17 hectares of a total 26-hectare site.

The Proximity Concerns:

Nearby Homes: The edge of the site sits just 180 metres away from the closest residential house.

Historic Landmark: The proposed development is located under a mile from the National Trust’s Grade I listed Great Chalfield Manor.

Will the planning inspector overturn the local council's decision, or will the protection of local heritage and countryside view win?

https://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/26199674.plans-massive-solar-farm-near-national-trust-property-go-appeal/

Controversial proposals to cover an area of Wiltshire countryside the size of 24 football pitches with solar panels will be decided by a planning…

19/06/2026

Posts:⁠
Join the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Wiltshire for our Annual General Meeting and an exclusive guest talk on Thursday 30th July at 6:30pm, held at the beautiful Corsham Town Hall.⁠
⁠
🗓️ Event Schedule⁠
• 6:30pm: Brief AGM formal business (maximum 30 minutes).⁠
• 7:00pm: Guest talk by CPRE Chief Executive Roger Mortlock.⁠
⁠
🎤 Guest Talk⁠
“The Campaign to Protect Rural England – Learning from our Past, Facing the Future”⁠
Roger Mortlock will deliver an engaging, thought-provoking presentation exploring the upcoming challenges and vital opportunities facing our countryside and rural communities.⁠
⁠
🍷 Refreshments⁠
• Complimentary wine provided.⁠
• Light refreshments served.⁠
⁠
🎟️ Booking Information⁠
Tickets are free, but spaces are limited and booking is essential.⁠
Reserve your place today via the CPRE Wiltshire office:⁠
• 📞 Call: 01380 722157⁠
• ✉️ Email: [email protected]⁠
⁠
We look forward to welcoming you for an inspiring evening dedicated to protecting our beautiful Wiltshire countryside!

19/06/2026

A Happy Birthday to our Patron, HM King Charles.
We hope you have a wonderful day

Photo by Ottr Dan on Unsplash

18/06/2026

🌳Do you know an individual or organisation that protects and enhances the countryside and green spaces?

🏆 The CPRE Centenary Awards aim to recognise the people, projects and ideas that are helping the countryside and its communities thrive.

You can read more about the categories and make nominations here 👇

https://www.cpre.org.uk/cpre-national-centenary-awards/

17/06/2026

Letter from Leader of Wiltshire Council to Government, seeking urgent clarity from Government on the A303.

Wiltshire Council has published a letter following the outcome of a Notice of Motion agreed at its recent Full Council meeting to seek clarity from the Government on the A303 corridor.

https://share.google/4hlo7ctPbPck8rSgn

16/06/2026

Bradford on Avon is once again being asked to sacrifice its countryside for yet another large-scale housing development — this time, more than 220 homes on 76 acres of green fields on the edge of the town.

Supporters point to the promise of affordable housing, but at what cost? Residents are already grappling with congested roads, overstretched GP surgeries and schools, and mounting pressure on local infrastructure. Adding hundreds of new homes without first addressing these issues is not planning for the future — it's shifting the burden onto existing communities.

These green spaces are more than empty land waiting to be built on. They support wildlife, contribute to the character of Bradford on Avon, and provide a vital buffer against unchecked urban sprawl. Once they're gone, they're gone for good.

The growing number of objections sent to Wiltshire Council sends a clear message: people are not opposed to development, but they are opposed to poorly thought-out developments driven by investors rather than the long-term interests of the town.

Bradford on Avon deserves homes that meet local needs without destroying the very landscape and quality of life that make this community special.

15/06/2026

Our report explores how English devolution could support rural prosperity.

Healthy rural economies, environments and communities bring benefits for the whole country, yet rural areas and issues have historically been deprioritised in policymaking: agglomeration and its favouring of policy towards centres of population has historically prevailed.

A new report commissioned by CPRE and produced by Grounded Insight explores the potential of English devolution to address the imbalance in policymaking and investment in its rural areas.

Read the full report here . . .

New CPRE report explores how English Devolution could support rural prosperity.

10/06/2026

Posts:
Join the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Wiltshire for our Annual General Meeting and an exclusive guest talk on Thursday 30th July at 6:30pm, held at the beautiful Corsham Town Hall.

🗓️ Event Schedule
• 6:30pm: Brief AGM formal business (maximum 30 minutes).
• 7:00pm: Guest talk by CPRE Chief Executive Roger Mortlock.

🎤 Guest Talk
“The Campaign to Protect Rural England – Learning from our Past, Facing the Future”
Roger Mortlock will deliver an engaging, thought-provoking presentation exploring the upcoming challenges and vital opportunities facing our countryside and rural communities.

🍷 Refreshments
• Complimentary wine provided.
• Light refreshments served.

🎟️ Booking Information
Tickets are free, but spaces are limited and booking is essential.
Reserve your place today via the CPRE Wiltshire office:
• 📞 Call: 01380 722157
• ✉️ Email: [email protected]

We look forward to welcoming you for an inspiring evening dedicated to protecting our beautiful Wiltshire countryside!

09/06/2026

We want every town and city to be surrounded by thriving, protected countryside. Do you agree?

We're asking everyone across England to stand with us and call for countryside On The Edge to be protected and regenerated — for nature, for climate, for wellbeing.

Add your name - https://bit.ly/4eA2Rg7