Natural England

Thousands of hectares of land in Dorset will be officially opened to walkers for the first time today. more

New policy on rural areas from Defra and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will shift the provision of affordable housing in rural areas up a gear, according to the Countryside Agency.  more

Two new road schemes in South West England, announced by the Department for Transport today (29 November 2004), have addressed serious environmental and landscape concerns. more

HRH The Prince of Wales's Initiative calls for local action in rural communities across the UK more

Local authorities need to ‘think rural’ when setting their local Public Service Agreement (LPSA)1 targets to ensure they cover rural issues, according to new research published by the Countryside Agency today.   more

Transport schemes that help rural people get to hospitals and GP surgeries, bring many extra benefits for patients and can help health and social care providers save public money. more

Evaluation of Countryside Agency's Market Towns Initiative published today. more

A new publication to help promote combined cycling and rail schemes throughout the country has been launched. more

Rev Dr Stuart Burgess appointed as Countryside Agency chairman by Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Margaret Beckett. more

Hundreds of people will set off across the Peak District moors to celebrate the beginning of a historic new right of access to open country on National Walking Day. more

Three more market towns have been selected as national 'beacons' to show how England's rural towns can provide more jobs, housing and services for their residents and communities in the surrounding rural areas. more

Making farm support payments conditional on keeping footpaths and other rights of way in good order is an important win, says the Countryside Agency. more

Environment Secretary, Margaret Beckett, set out an exciting new future for the Countryside Agency and its work in her Rural Strategy published today.   more

Speaking at the ACRE Rural Life conference today (Thursday 15 July), Pam Warhurst chair of the Countryside Agency said: “We are in the midst of change..." more

A new Countryside Code with the themes - respect, protect, enjoy, is launched today (Monday 12 July) by the Countryside Agency.   more

Nearly 10% of England’s rights of way do not appear on the definitive maps kept by highway authorities and could be lost forever if the definitive maps are not brought up to date. more

The first group of farmers to be accredited under the Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme receive their certificates today (Sunday 4 July). Organised farm visits by schools are an effective tool in connecting young people to the rural environment.  more

The latest Rural Proofing report, the Countryside Agency's annual report to Government is published today.  more

Today's announcement (Monday 28 June) by Rural Affairs Minister, Alun Michael confirms the Countryside Agency's decision to designate the New Forest as a National Park and is warmly welcomed.  more

"Life in England’s countryside is good - for many....." The Agencys "state of the countryside" report launches today. more

The British make more than five billion leisure day visits a year, spending some £71 billion, according to new research from the national agencies responsible for recreation and tourism. more

Wheels to Work is helping young, unemployed and disadvantaged people get into work. more

More access to the countryside for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. more

New report says meeting the needs of rural people and thinking through what could potentially affect those who work and live in the countryside is vital for local authorities more

England's Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), nationally recognised as some of its finest countryside, finally come of age today.  more

Without a car, it is becoming harder and harder for some rural people to get to essential services such as the doctor, the post office or the bank, to get to training or work opportunities, or even just visit family and friends. One solution is to provide people in rural areas with vouchers that they can use with local taxis. more

Young people in rural areas take transport needs into their own hands. more

The independent status of the new Integrated Agency, announced by Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett today, was welcomed today by the Countryside Agency. more

The first book for 50 years to explore the resurgent trade in Britain’s native products, charts the revival in traditional skills and crafts   more

Public Inquiry to end 20 years of uncertainty for the South Downs Way National Trail?   more

Countryside Agency comment on Single Farm Payment (SFP) announcement on 12 February 2004 more

A new report, Delivering Effective Services to Children and Families in Rural Areas: the early lessons from SureStart,  demonstrates some of the solutions adopted and how they are overcoming the problems of providing a much-needed resource to a scattered population of disadvantaged children and families. more

The Countryside Agency and Groundwork have joined forces to produce a consultaion document on a vision for the rural/urban fringe. more

Sir Ewen Cameron, chairman of the Countryside Agency, comments on the Government’s review of the white paper, published today by Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael. more

The Countryside Agency welcomes today’s Government announcement of £63 million for better urban living in the South East’s growth areas. more

Six towns have been selected as national beacons to show how England’s market towns can provide more jobs, housing and services. more