Archived News Jan/ Feb 2007 Crumbling Heritage 'Needs Proper Investment' Feb 28th A lack of government funding over the last five years has created a £1 billion repair backlog, putting 17,000 buildings at risk, a heritage survey has shown Prices to grow by 15% in 2007 Feb 27th Despite the rising interest rates Savills forecasts 15% growth in the prime central London and Home Countries country house markets this year Environmental food labelling to be ‘the norm’ Feb 26th Environment secretary David Miliband has proposed a labelling system to show the environmental quality of food as well as the nutritional values Crumbs of comfort for farmland birds Feb 25th A new study shows which cereal grains are the preferred winter food of declining farmland birds. Quest to find best new rural buildings Feb 20th A new rural buildings award scheme will showcase the countryside's finest conversions and developments along with their designers and craftsman. Access to England’s coastline Feb 19th Proposals have been unveiled to create public access to England’s coastline along a continuous access corridor. Value of wildlife to EU Feb 18th The conservation of wildlife is critical for the prosperity and quality of life of EU citizens, says the President of the European Commission and backed up by a new report. Cumbrian coast energy project Feb 14th A unique wind and gas energy scheme to be sited off the Cumbrian coast has been given the go-ahead. Batting for a recovery Feb 13th After decades of decline, some British bats may be on the road to recovery, a survey concludes. Pay as you go road charging? Feb 12th Sign the petition against road pricing if you dont want to pay per mile for driving Country Loving MPs Join Forces Feb 11th A collection of 70 members and peers have formed a cross-party group to support rural communities, and post offices are top of their agenda Farmers included in ‘hidden poor’ Feb 11th Farmers may be at greater risk of facing sudden and unexpected poverty, according to the latest figures from a welfare charity. Public to be kept out of planning Feb 7th A government initiative to speed up the planning process and save funds has been branded ‘antidemocratic’ by rural agencies. Stansted airport expansion Feb 6th The British Airports Authority’s (BAA) proposal for a second runway at Stansted in Essex would threaten the tranquility and wildlife of an ancient medieval forest, according to a conservation organisation. Charges tumble on Windermere Feb 5th Fees for taking powered craft onto Lake Windermere have been drastically cut to come in line with an alternative registration scheme. Public to be kept out of planning Jan 31st A government initiative to speed up the planning process and save funds has been branded ‘antidemocratic’ by rural agencies. Wind turbines: ‘relax the rules’ Jan 29th A report presented to the Government today calls for relaxed planning regulations and financial incentives for local energy systems such as home wind turbines and solar panels. Church wants ransom Jan 28th A Warwickshire couple will hear in the High Court next week just how much money they are expected to pay for repairs to their local church. Action plan for Scotland’s wildlife Jan 27th Thirty two species of wildlife in Scotland have been prioritised for management action over the next five years. Fancy A Farmer? Jan 26th Milk bottles in Wales are advertising eligible young farmers in search of a country wife, in a bid to save family farms. Skill opportunities for the young Jan 25th Hundreds of young people are set to learn new skills such as conservation and customer services at heritage sites across England. New targets for otter conservation Jan 24th Ambitious new targets for the recovery of the UK’s threatened otter population have followed confirmation the species has recently been detected in every major city in England Road-taxing ‘will limit personal freedom’ Jan 23rd A petition against the government’s pay-as-you-drive road taxing scheme has received an overwhelming response, with country dwellers dreading its affect on rural towns and businesses. Crumbling Heritage ‘Needs Proper Investment’ Jan 15th A lack of government funding over the last five years has created a £1 billion repair backlog, putting 17,000 buildings at risk, a heritage survey has shown Just ask where your food comes from Jan 14th A new campaign has been launched to encourage the public to ask where the food on their plate comes from whenever they’re out for a meal. Too busy to visit the countryside Jan 13th A household survey found that an increasing number of people were too busy working or studying to visit the countryside. Hedgehog is voted an icon Jan 12th The humble hedgehog has been voted by the public as England and Wales’ number one Icon of the Environment. Shared vision for future of farming Jan 8th David Miliband, The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has set out his vision for the long term future of English farming. Swans a threat to river life Jan 7th Mute swans are destroying important habitat, removing crucial fish refuges and exposing them to predators, according to anglers. Quad bikers told to steer clear Jan 6th Illegal quad bikers have left hundreds of pounds worth of damage to newly constructed mountain bike trails in North Yorkshire. Pigs Save Ponies But Not Police Jan 3rd Record numbers of pigs were released into the New Forest during Pannage season this year but although they ate up thousands of poisonous acorns they showed no respect to the police. World’s largest windfarm Jan 2rd Two major offshore windfarms to be built in the Thames Estuary will provide enough green electricity to power a million households when fully operational. Persecution of red kites is a massive problem Jan 1st Illegal persecution of red kites is still having a devastating impact on the Scottish population, according to ongoing research. Nature’s confused Jan 1st 2006 was the warmest year on record and Mother Nature herself has been baffled.