CPRE Bedfordshire review of the year 2024

2024 – a year of roots and shoots

It’s been a busy year for the team at CPRE Bedfordshire. Here we take a quick look at what we’ve been able to do thanks to your support. 

Hedgerow Heroes

The launch of our Hedgerow Heroes project has been a real highlight of the year. We were blown away by the generosity of everyone who donated to our match funding campaign back in April, which raised over £5,000 for the project.

Since then, our brilliant team of volunteers have planted 730 metres of hedgerow at sites in Goldington, Maulden, Flitton & Greenfield and Gravenhurst. There’s also been hedge-laying in Gravenhurst, teaching traditional skills to a small group.

We were pleased to work with the Forest of Marston Vale and National CPRE to make this project happen and look forward to continuing these partnerships.

We created our Hedgerow Heroes Explorers Guide, a free activity booklet, helping children and families learn about hedgerows and have fun at the same time.

Rooted in communities

2024 saw CPRE Bedfordshire continue to work with Local Action Groups, Parish Councils and other grass roots organisations. Whether it’s on National Infrastructure Projects like East West Rail and East Park Energy, or on local planning applications, the CPRE Bedfordshire team have helped people understand how to have their say and worked with them to navigate the planning system.

The floods that hit Bedfordshire in September formed the basis of a photo story, where we shared stories from Local Action Groups dealing with developments on flood plains. In March we helped a number of Local Action Groups publicise their peaceful protest walks, designed to help raise awareness of threats to local green spaces.

This year we’ve been delighted to be able to share success stories of different kinds from several groups including the Shillington and Gravenhurst Local Action Group, Save Steppingley Road Field, Cranfield and the No To Greenwoods campaign.

Bedfordshire through fresh eyes

At CPRE Bedfordshire we’re keen to help people explore our county. In June we launched our new series of web features, an A-Z of Bedfordshire’s landscapes, places and history. Each post includes links to walks, places to visit and lots of ideas to help you discover more about Bedfordshire. As well as highlighting some familiar places, we hope it will help you find new inspiration.

Digging deep

From Local Plans to Universal Studios, this year we’ve continued to make our responses to significant consultations and applications available via our website. This helps organisations and individuals understand both our concerns and how to make their own comments more effective.

We’ve also helped demystify the planning system – including updating our Greenbelt Explained feature and explaining the East West Rail consultation process. One of our most comprehensive explainers this year looked at where power lies in the planning system and where and how decisions are made. It also explored the ways in which, with support from CPRE Bedfordshire, you can make your voice heard.

Always popular, our Understanding Planning workshop was attended by 35 representatives from town and parish councils and community groups. They shared knowledge and information while learning more about the planning system and how we can all work together to protect our countryside.

New growth

We welcomed four new Trustees this year who each bring their own skills and experience to help grow our charity. We established CPRE Bedfordshire as a CIO (Charity Incorporated Organisation), a legal model that makes it easier to develop partnership working and ensure the organisation is fit for the future.

Volunteers are an essential part of our work and this year they completed in the region of 4,000 hours working on planning, hedgerows and governance. We also welcomed 40 new volunteers in 2024.

What is coming in 2025?

The Hedgerow Heroes project will continue with more planting and laying from January-March. We will then be looking for sites for the 2025/26 season. With the government’s ambition to increase house building and lesser protection of the green belt, planning will continue to be a focus. We will be providing more support and guidance for local parish councils and community groups on both national and local planning issues.

You can help us continue our work in 2025 and beyond by making a donation, becoming a member or volunteering.