THE BERKSHIRE Branch of a countryside protection charity is on the lookout for new volunteers to help monitor threats to local green spaces.
With the countryside and communities of Berkshire under continual pressure from development, housing sprawl and industrialisation, the local branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) is appealing for help with monitoring and responding to planning applications.
CPRE Berkshire works to promote, protect and enhance the borough’s countryside, primarily through engagement with the planning system and local communities.
But with six different local planning authorities in the borough: Bracknell Forest, Reading, Slough, West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead, and Wokingham, the organisation says there is much to be done to ensure that green spaces are protected.
CPRE Berkshire Chairman Greg Wilkinson explained: “In each of these six areas, planning applications frequently come forward that affect the countryside and environment.
“That’s a lot of ground to cover, and we need more help.
“That’s why we’re currently looking for volunteers to assist us by monitoring planning applications and helping us to formulate responses or objections to any applications that may have a harmful impact on the local countryside or lead to loss of precious open spaces.”
He continued: “As a planning volunteer you will be our ‘eyes and ears’ in your local community, monitoring and investigating planning applications that could have an impact on the countryside, bringing them to the attention of the CPRE Branch office, and helping us to influence their outcome.”
The role, he says, can be very fulfilling and can lead to other opportunities within the organisation.
“If you have a passion for the countryside and share our concern to protect Berkshire’s green spaces, an eye for detail and an interest in investigative work, and can commit to volunteering regularly, we would love to have you in our team.”
Volunteering with CPRE gives an opportunity to put skills and experience at the disposal of a local environmental charity and to make a positive difference to the countryside.
It can also give people the chance to meet like-minded people and enjoy being part of a team.
The group says that it can also enhance volunteers’ CVs as they develop new skills and gain experience.
CPRE will give full support to all volunteers and provide relevant training and backup.
Anyone wanting to offer their time to the charity should contact the Branch Office, by emailing: cpreberkshire@btopenworld.com , giving their telephone number and a convenient time to be contacted.
For more information about the charity, visit: www.cpreberkshire.org.uk or follow the group on social media.
