About Us

Who We Are

We are the champions of England's countryside and we welcome the support of all who care about it. CPRE is a registered charity with over 60,000 members and supporters living in our cities, towns, villages and the countryside. We operate as a network with over 200 district groups, a branch in every county, a group in every region and a national office. Over 2,000 parish councils and 800 amenity societies belong to CPRE. This makes CPRE a powerful combination of effective local action and strong national campaigning.

We are one of the longest established and most respected environmental groups, influencing national policy and raising awareness nation-wide of the big issues affecting the countryside. We do this at national level primarily through our National Office in London.

CPRE also has a Regional Organisation, which here in the South West coordinates our unique approach to regional issues. CPRE (SW) runs a series of Topic Groups on Transport & Aviation, Waste Management, Minerals, Affordable Housing, Rural Affairs, the Local Development Framework, Coastal Policy and Public Relations. The aim of this regional organisation is to share “Expertise” and “Best Practice”. Each of the 43 Counties has its own Branch and in Devon we unashamedly put our county first with each of the eight Districts having their own Chairman and committee.

The CPRE County Chairmen meet from time to time at the County Branch Forum. This informal group acts as a forum for the discussion and dissemination of “Expertise” and “Best Practice” right across the country. This is an important function at a time of rapid change in Government policy, and in the many new technologies being introduced into the countryside.

How We're Run

CPRE Devon is an independent, separate charity from our National Office in London. CPRE Devon, charity number. 245317, operates as a separate entity and focusses, as you would expect, on the county of Devon and the SW Region. If you wish to donate towards some specific Devon issue or to contribute in some way to the work we do county-wide, please contact Marion Trotter at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . In Devon we never forget the Objects Clause in our constitution which reads; ‘The objects of the branch shall be to promote and encourage, for the benefit of the Nation, the improvement, protection and preservation of the countryside of Devon, and its towns and villages, and the better development of the rural environment’.

Please read the CPRE Devon Constitution here...

The Campaign to Protect Rural England has a National Office in Central London and is a registered charity in its own right. CPRE is also a company limited by guarantee registered in England (number 4302973), and the registered office is at 128 Southwark Street, London, SE1 0SW. The management and administration of CPRE is the responsibility of the Trustees, who sit on our Trustee Board.

This Trustee Board meets at least four times a year and comprises a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Treasurer and five other Board members, all of whom serve a maximum of two three year terms.

What We've Achieved

Our success story
Since 1926, the Campaign to Protect Rural England has fought to protect the beauty, life and uniqueness of our countryside. Eighty years on, is the glass half full or half empty? Considering England’s high population density and the huge growth in population and prosperity since our foundation, you might conclude our campaigning and behind-the-scenes influence have been highly successful. For England still has huge tracts of diverse, very beautiful countryside. The conclusion is strengthened if you look at the urban sprawl spreading rapidly across some European neighbours.

Our Visitors and Values

What we want

CPRE wants a beautiful, tranquil and diverse countryside that everyone can value and enjoy; a working countryside that contributes to national well being by enriching our quality of life, as well as providing us with crucial natural resources, including food. We wish to see the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country. The countryside, including its villages and towns is ever changing, but we strive to ensure that change and development respect the character of England's natural and built landscapes, enhancing the environment for the enjoyment and benefit of all.

What We Do

CPRE campaigns for a sustainable future for the English countryside, a vital but undervalued environmental, economic and social asset to the nation. We highlight threats and promote positive solutions. Our in-depth research supports active campaigning, and through reasoned argument and lobbying we seek to influence public opinion and decision-makers at every level.