Tony Burton

The government needs a new high streets strategy. Here’s what it should do. - Power to Change Britain’s high streets are in visible decline, and the government needs a strategy that sets out a bold new vision. By addressing the physical, economic and ...

What do we need from a Government High Street Strategy - helpful insights from @powertochange.org.uk

www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...

Headlines exposing the AI challenge to planners - on the one hand a tool to accelerate planning decisions while on the other being seen as a NIMBY charter in the hand of objectors

Check out this exhibition celebrating 100 years of @cprecountryside.bsky.social now running at the Museum of English Rural Life in Reading

merl.reading.ac.uk/whats-on/voi...

@themerl.bsky.social

Consequential decision that #neighbourhoodplanning forums fall withing scope of public authorities who must respond to Freedom of Information requests - if this is the case then why not make them eligible to receive and manage CIL funds

www.linkedin.com/posts/james-...

@whatdotheyknow.bsky.social

Local CPRE successes in 2025 We are CPRE, the countryside charity. Learn how we're working for a beautiful and thriving countryside that's accessible to everyone - and how to get involved.

A round up of remarkable activity by @cprecountryside.bsky.social branches last year - speaking up for the countryside powerfully and creatively on so many fronts

www.cpre.org.uk/news/local-c...

Support for #neighbourhoodplanning in high places

x.com/NPlannersLon...

New report from Neighbourhood Planners.London - check out the thread

x.com/NPlannersLon...

#neighbourhoodplanning

We've a new legend and route styles that make it easier to see and find great Slow Ways! Have a try here beta.slowways.org

New report from Neighbourhood Planners.London - check out the thread

x.com/NPlannersLon...

#neighbourhoodplanning

U2 - American Obituary (Lyric Video) YouTube video by U2

Just in from Minneapolis. Released on Ash Wednesday.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3zi...

Government's Watered-Down Environmental Plans Are 'A Dead End', Labour MP Warns Writing for HuffPost UK, Chris Hinchliff says it's time to say "enough is enough" and set out the red lines for UK protections.

Bravo @chrishinchliff.bsky.social

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/govern...

Recall tabling amendments to the Planning and Compensation Bill in 1990 seeking to introduce a basic legal duty to enforce planning controls - rejected then and we've lived too long with the consequences

Enforcement - the perpetual Cinderella of the planning system where failures eat away at public trust. Helpful "Losing Control" report from Local Government Ombudsman

www.lgo.org.uk/assets/attac...

Notes on winter When the world turns whimsical

Wild fact from @billmckibben.bsky.social's latest newsletter:

"The last colder-than-average month on planet earth was in February of 1985, which means that no one under the age of forty has ever known one."

The Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre, Lambeth – London County Council (LCC) and Greater London Council (GLC) Architect’s Department, 1963-68 Image © Morley von Sternberg

BREAKING NEWS: We’re absolutely thrilled to announce that the Southbank Centre - the Hayward Gallery, Purcell Room, Queen Elizabeth Hall and skaters undercroft - has finally been Grade II listed by DCMS after a 35 year long campaign.

➡️ c20society.org.uk/news/southba...

Research on appeals from @cprecountryside.bsky.social shows "Grey Belt" development is largely green fields and not the disused petrol stations and abandoned car parks cited by @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social when launching the policy

www.cpre.org.uk/wp-content/u...

The deceptions driving deregulation | The Wildlife Trusts As debate rages over recommendations for further environmental regression – this time proposed by the Nuclear Regulatory Review – Head of Public Affairs, Matt Browne, takes a closer look at the argume...

What’s behind the increasingly shrill calls to disregard nature protections?

A peek behind the curtain at the illusionists peddling nature destruction as a public good:

www.wildlifetrusts.org/blog/public-...

Telling anecdote from @rightscommaction.bsky.social that amendments on "community empowerment" weren't allowed to be tabled to recent Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill as they were outside scope because it contained nothing on community empowerment

One quick win if the Government sticks by its dreadful decision to withdraw #neighbourhoodplanning funding & support is to push the "go" button on existing legal provisions for "neighbourhood priority statements" already on the statute book

Good to see these emerging conclusions from @justclp.bsky.social on how to achieve more just neighbourhoods via planning and place making led by communities

Wildlife Sightings for 2nd February 2026 Brambling flying over heading north. Plenty of Redwing and Siskin across site.

www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-cent...

Finally......a bittern! Thank you London Wetland Centre

The Chief Executive provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Sheila McKechnie Foundation.

Download the recruitment pack at https://smk.org.uk/get-involved/join-our-team/

Applications close Sun 15th Feb at 11:59pm.

Network Assembly Chair Could you help to provide leadership to CPRE’s Network Assembly, where we make decisions about how we work together to increase the strength of our voice and the impact of our work?

Interesting volunteer role helping bring @cprecountryside.bsky.social network of local campaigners together to be more than the sum of the parts

volunteer.cpre.org.uk/opportunitie...

Great work by @riveractionuk.bsky.social exposing the Red Tractor accreditation for what it is

Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio) YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen

I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.

Stay free

Voices of the Countryside: 100 Years of the Campaign to Protect Rural England Celebrate the centenary of an extraordinary charity who transformed the preservation of England's rural landscapes.

Check out the @cprecountryside.bsky.social 100th anniversary exhibition at @themerl.bsky.social in Reading

merl.reading.ac.uk/whats-on/voi...

Big news! An exciting role up for grabs. Are you SMK's next permanent CEO?
👉Deadline: Sun 15 February, 11:59pm.

Find out about this great role here 👉 https://smk.org.uk/get-involved/join-our-team/
#charityleadership #chiefexecutive #leader #recruitment

Good work at Sheffield and Reading Unis among others eg fojournal.org/essay/the-re.... Build out rates is a term describing completion of new homes by builders. The "obvious" problem with a Government setting a policy objective to reduce house prices is....well....obvious! Think of the politics.

Multiple academic studies, the reality of house prices not being related to build out rates and the obvious problem for any Government setting out actively to reduce house prices as a policy objective