D is for Districts

At CPRE Gloucestershire, our work to protect, promote and enhance the county’s countryside is only possible thanks to the dedicated volunteers who make up our six District Committees.

This month, as part of our Centenary A–Z blog series, D is for Districts – the perfect opportunity to shine a light on the incredible efforts of our Committee members working in every corner of Gloucestershire.

Gloucestershire is wonderfully varied: rolling Cotswold landscapes, rich Severn Vale farmland, historic market towns and the distinctive woodland of the Forest of Dean. Each area faces different pressures and opportunities, and that’s why our District Committees are so essential. They bring local knowledge, specialist insight and a deep love of place to everything we do.

Our District Committee volunteers take on tasks such as:

• Reviewing and scrutinise planning applications to ensure development is appropriate, sustainable and sensitive to our countryside and community needs
• Championing local green spaces, from footpaths and hedgerows to village greens and community woodlands.
• Protecting local heritage and character, keeping an eye on issues such as design quality, transport, biodiversity, and the relationship between new development and the rural environment.
• Raising awareness of countryside issues and support community projects that bring people together.
• Run or host events to champion our local countryside and highlight key countryside conversations.
• Feedback local issues to our wider county team to help shape our policy and campaigning work.

This strong local presence means CPRE Gloucestershire can respond knowledgeably and effectively to emerging countryside issues – it’s grassroots countryside advocacy at its best.

A year of celebration – and a year of action

As CPRE marks its centenary in 2026, we’re taking a moment to reflect and thank our District Committees for everything they do to protect and promote Gloucestershire’s countryside.

Join us!

If you, too, are passionate about the places that make our county special, why not get involved?

Joining one of our District Committees is a brilliant way to turn your passion into action – and with a Committee in every area of Gloucestershire, you can make a difference right on your doorstep:

• North Cotswolds
• South Cotswolds & Tetbury
• Stroud
• Berkeley Vale
• Forest of Dean
• Cheltenham, Gloucester & Tewkesbury

If you’re interested in getting involved or would like to learn more about the work of our District Committees, we’d love to hear from you – please get in touch with our friendly team: info@cpreglos.org.uk

Together, we can continue to protect the Gloucestershire countryside for generations to come.