CPRE Rutland and Lincolnshire Branch Activity July/August 2025
Following its formation in May 2025 the new CPRE branch covering England’s smallest and second largest counties has wasted no time in getting into action. Its new President is countryside champion Dr Sarah Furness PhD, Lord Lieutenant of Rutland and its Chair is rural community and Neighbourhood Planning Champion Ron Simpson BEM.
Ron is also National Chair of the defibrillator charity, The Community Heartbeat Trust (CHT). Ron sees great synergy between the charities with CHT having a strong foothold in rural communities with many of its listed ex BT telephone boxes now hosting defibrillators in the villages and market towns of Rutland and Lincolnshire. See Ron’s CV at www.ronsimpson.uk
AI and Rutland
The Rutland and Lincolnshire Executive Team and Trustee Board had made their present felt earlier in the year by successfully using Artificial Intelligence (AI) computer software to support many in Lincolnshire who were opposing a planning application to build a huge anaerobic digester in South Kesteven. The application was ultimately rejected by the Planning Committee of SK District Council.
A branch task group has prepared and submitted a formal objection to the Planning Inspectorate hearing in September of the Rutland Local Plan. The group are assisted by a local planning consultant. The primary concerns are the proposed housing numbers and in particular a sweeping proposal to remove the planned limit of development from around Rutland’s villages. In this case the charity is campaigning in harmony with many of the county’s parish councils who fear the plan will open a Pandora’s Box to unprincipled developers. The branch has requested permission to appear and speak at the planning hearing.
The hearing comes at a time when many in Rutland and Lincolnshire are concerned about the future governance of the two counties due to the government’s devolution plans. A very public campaign to support the preservation of the heritage county of Rutland is being supported by the charity. Pictured is Chair Ron Simpson BEM signing a public petition on the matter.
AI and Lincolnshire (Housing, Pylons and Oil)
In July 2025 branch representatives engaged with Corby Glen Parish Council and its residents at a number of public consultation and council meetings called to assess public opinion and agree a way forward on the huge planning challenges now threatening Corby Glen. The village finds itself at the eye of a perfect storm with a huge number of additional homes allocated in the district’s Local Plan, a major foul smelling drainage problem in a new development area and, most worryingly for the community, the site of a new National Grid substation to be fed by giant new pylons carrying electricity from the East Coast as part of the major National Grid upgrade.
Pictured is Corby Glen PC voting unanimously to oppose the pylon and substation project route and support the creation with neighbouring parishes of an Action Group to defend the village.
As part of the follow up to the Corby Glen meetings the branch has again sought the assistance of AI to submit planning consultation objections to two of the major stages of the National Grid plans.
The planning appeal seeking to allow drilling for oil in Biscathorpe, North Lincolnshire following the Finch judgement in the Supreme Court has also now been prioritised by the branch. The judgement ruled that the environmental impact assessment of such an application must include the well’s total impact offsite as well as onsite. AI has once again assisted the branch in submitting to the planning authority a detailed schedule of concerns. The response can be read on the Lincolnshire County Council Planning Portal.
Partnerships
CPRE Rutland and Lincolnshire is committed to working with community partners to deliver its charity objects. The branch now hosts quarterly meetings of a Rutland Water Partnership attended by Anglian Water, Rutland County Council, Parish Councils around the reservoir and Rutland Water sports and activity groups.
The charity is also supporting the Rutland Quarry Forum and its member concerns about air quality and harmful particle emissions.
The charity is represented on the Rutland Strategic Partnership which seeks to offer oversight and sharing of the forward plans and current practice of the county’s key sectors including Tourism, Economic Development, Environment, Public Safety and Public Health. Participation in similar strategic structures in Lincolnshire is now under consideration.
Lead Officer Vacancy
Acknowledging the many challenges confronting the Rutland and Lincolnshire communities, a major policy decision made by the branch in July was to create a new contracted professional role to support Trustees in serving both counties effectively. The branch wishes to contract with a home based part time professional to lead the development of a range of initiatives intended to protect and sustain the countryside in both counties.
Accountable to the Charity Chair and Trustee Board, the successful candidate will be responsible for providing strategic advice, leadership and direction to the charity in order to fulfil its mission and achieve its goals. They will work closely with an Executive Committee, volunteers and donors to develop and implement comprehensive strategies for fundraising, programme development and community engagement.
An initial contract period of two days per week for two years is envisaged with an extension possible if additional funding can be secured. Where appropriate, collaborative work with the CPRE national charity will be an important aspect of the contract.
Interested persons should send a brief CV and request further information and an application form from chair@cprerutlandandlincs.uk
Member Information and Media
The branch website is currently being updated and may be relocated onto a different server. The charity is now posting news items on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) under the name ‘CPRE Rutland and Lincolnshire’.
Trustee Vacancies
The branch is now searching for a number of additional Trustees and volunteers from Lincolnshire interested in helping to meet the challenges the countryside faces in England’s second largest county. The Board would particularly welcome expressions of interest in the role of Treasurer of the new branch.
What Next?
Trustees are very pleased to have had a very positive reaction to the creation of the new branch. Thank you to all those member who have sent letters and emails responding to our first snail mail letter. Your responses are appreciated.
As part of developing its activities in Lincolnshire the branch is to create and host two round table meetings of parties interested in the sustainability of rural life in the county. Venues and dates will be announced in September.
A meeting of Market Town Mayors in Rutland and Lincolnshire is also planned for the autumn.
The branch is currently deliberating what project it might pursue to celebrate the centenary of CPRE in 2026. Member suggestions are welcome.
CPRE Rutland and Lincolnshire E: chair@cprerutlandandlincolnshire.uk T: 01572 823465 M: 07710 328469
