Charity registration number.. 211974 Campalgn to Protect Rural England Dorset Branth Annual Report and Flnancial Statements For the Year Ended 31 August 2025
Campal8n to Protect Rurdl En8land Dorset Branch Contents Referen and Administradve Detslls TnJstees' Report 2to13 Independent Examiner Report 14 Ststement of Finandal Actrvities 15 Balartce Sheet 16 Notes to the Financial Statements 17to25
Campal8n to Protert Rurnl England Dorset Branch Referertte and Admlnlstrthe Details Trustees: Mr RJ Bowmer Mrs S D Brown lappointed 161111241 Dr F Hogwood Mr l Hughes Mr N Matthews Mr A TT Rotterbburg lappointed 161111241 Charity Registration Number 211974 Principal Office Fairfteld House 2 King's Road Sherbome Dorset DT9 4HU Independent EMIner Marcus Cridland B.AIHonsl F.C.A. Scott Vevers Ltd. Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors 65 East Street Bridport Dorset DT6 3LB Bankers Barclays Bank PIC 10 South Street Dorthester Oorset OTI 18T
Campal8n to Protert Rur41 England DO¢t Branch The Trustees present their report togetherwith thefinanual ststementsofthe Charity for the vear ended 31 August 2025. Objeitives The objects of the Branch shall be to seek to improve, protert and presetve for the benefit of the public, the countryside and the market towns and rural villages of the County of Dorset. To meet this objective the charity Seeks charitable donation5 and subscriptions from the public. The Charity is regulated by a constitution and 15 constituted a5 an un-incorporated association. It was founded in 1937. Our Mlsslon As part of our Strategy 202>26, Dorset CPRE is working tirele5sty with all our members, the communities. counci15 and other Stakeholders, to ensure effective stewardship of our precious natural assets, for work and for leisure, and will strhve to make Dorset a better place for its people and its enwronment. Our website has become a repository of the work undertaken by the Charity where members and communities can discoverwhat may interest them and the wider implications for Dorset a$ 8 whole. Brdnth Trustees The following officers of the charity held offlce at 31° August 2025.. Mr. Neil Matthews Mr. Jez Hughes Mr. Bob Bowmer Mr. Peter Bowyer Mrs. Sandra Brown Dr Frances Hogwood Mr. David Holmes Chair of Tnjstees Wice<hair of Trustee5 Hon. Treasurer Retired 16 November 2024 Appointed 16 November 2024 Appointed 16 November 2024 and resigned 5 January 2025 Retired 16 November 2024 Retired 16 November 2024 Appointed 16 November 2024 Mr. Mike Madgwick Mr. Peter Neil Mr. Alexander Rottenburg The Trustees are drawn from interested members who can contrlbute their knowledge and expertise to carrying out the various activities of the Charity. Trustee5 are elerted each year at the Annual General Meeting held in November. The Chair of Trustees is elecled at the first Trustees Meeting, held in November or December, following the AGM. The Trustees are the deusi0n-mak1 body for Dorset CPRE.
Carnpaign to Protert RuTrl Eniland Dorset Brdnth Organlsatlon The Charity Is an autonomou5 branch of the CPRE - Campaign to Protect Rural England. The organlsatlonal structure has up to seven Trustees deallng with the finances, administration. and our responsibilities to the Charity Commission and National CPRE. In the Countryside Forum. countryside specialists and invited experts focus on speafic problems and priorities. We host monthly onllne Planning Group meetings focusing mainly on the Local Plans. consultations and related planning matters. The popularity of virtual meetings has enabled volunteers to join in National CPRE, CPRE South West. CPRE Assembly. external meeting5 and webinars without the need to travel. Our local District Groups also host in person and online committee meetings Un8 Zoom where possible. Dorset CPRE President. Kate Adie. chairs our Branch AGMS and 55 a great ambassador for our Charity. She was guest speaker at both the Sherborne and Oi5trict Soaety and North tyorset Group AGMS and took the opportunity to meet our members and 8uest& At the November 2024 AGM new Trustee5 were elected to office. Alex Rottenburg brings significant expertise in managing business investments whith means he has been a useful collaborator for our Hon. Treasurer, Bob 8owmer. Sandra Brown has returned to the Boani of Trustees bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and experience of volunteering with various environmentsl charities. Having been elected, Daviii Holmes subsequently discovered that he was not able to devote sufficient time to the role and resigned in January. We wish him well for the future. The Secretary, Linda Williams runs the office and is recruited by the Branch Trustees on a self- employed basis. The Planning Advisor. Heidi Poole, works on a self-employed basis, supporting our loc31 Groups by monitoring planning applications and coordinating our submissions on land-use planning issues induding tonsultations on local plans and related strategies. Grants were pro¥lded forthe following main projert Dorset CPRE: Fingerpost Grants Barbara Vance Countryside Prize-wildlife related projects Sponsor Dorset Hedgelaying competition The Great Big Dorset Hedge (Dorset CAN project) Consultancy work ref B1ackberry/We Solar Farm £1.650.CKI £ 249.70 E 300.(X) £6,(KK).C() £ 9(Kl.(KJ Shert>ome and Distrlct Sodety CPRE Consultancy work ref Blackberryiwyke Solar Farni David 8irley's Christmas Appeal Sponsoring new lime trees in front of the Abbey £ 900.(JJ £ 300.IXI £ SCKt.00 Total £10.799.70 Dorsel CPRE will consider giving money to causes as well as campaigns that meet our charitable objectives.
Campaign to Pn>tect Rurdl En8land Dorset Brnnch Trustees. Report Flnances The branch finantes remain heatthy. The Charity receives from National CPRE a percentage of the subscription income paid by members who are registered as Dorset members. The investment income is performing relativety well in comparison to 2023124. It is hoped there will continue to be better returns on our investments over the next two year5. The current investment strategy is for a balanced outcome with an emphasis on security and income in future years. Currently any income generated by the Canaccord Genuity portfolio along with Flagstone IM is reinvested within the portfolio. Tom Stevens is our new Investment Manager at Canatcord Wealth UK (rebranded from Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management) Ind no change is recorded in the underlying strategy. There is some environmentsl focus on the investments and growth will come as companies transition to green energy. Annual fixed income return 15 likefy to be 5% over the next 3 years. Trustees will keep thls under review as part of an action to explore ideas for increasing income, taking into account the fee5 charged by the fund manager; however, our prime focus IS the pursuit of secure and carefully considered investment. We closed our deFSIt with Teacher5 BuildinB Sooety in January 2025 and found a better return on cash deposits at CCLA in the COIF Deposit Fund. The Reserves and Investment policies were discussed at the 25 September 2025 Trustees Meeting. The Investment Policy was last updated in March 2024. The Treasurer will recommend investments with investment manager5 or UK reBulated financial institutions. with such recommendation5 agreed and recorded by the Trustees in committee. It is the policy of the Trustees to maintain unrestricted reserves, sufficient to cover 2.5 years of the average 5-year budgeted deficit. Dorset CPRE'S policy is that the Barclays current account will accommodate these reserves and the remainder will be invested accordin8 to the branch investrnent policy. Our North Dorset Group received a donation of £13,800 from the Save Our Silton Group after thev closed their bank account. The group wa5 established around 2(KJ8 to campaign against a proposal for four giant wind turbbnes at Silton near Gillingham. The campaign was Successful, and the Inspector vpheld North Dorset Counal's refusal of the application taking full account of the landscape damage that would have resulted had the turbines been built. The donation came wlth a proviso that that the Broup can ask for up to £IO,CLK) in the next five years if needed to fight a new application- there are four years remaining. As a resuft. the £IO,LK)O Is listed under Creditors in our accounts. Governance The Trustees of Dorset CPRE are mindful of their responsibility to regularty review the constitution of the Charity and keep il up to date. Dorset CPRE is updating its 2014 Constitution. The changes are administrative in nature to prowde clarity and align with Charity Commlssion advice on best practice. They were approved at the National CPRE Board Meeting on September 2025. The Trustees will recommend the adoption of the updated Constitution at the next AGM being held on 15 November. The proposed updates reflect important clarifications and improvements to our govemance, ensuring the Bronch's continued effectiveness and compliance with National CPRE requirements. The Dorset CPRE Policies are recorded in a single file making it easy to share with new Trustees and anyone who would like to reteive a copy. The policies are reviewed annual in February. and no new policies have been added during the year.
Campaign to Protert Rural England Dorset Branch We encourage our volunteers to take up free online trdining orEanised and promoted by National CPRE to provide helpful skills and knowledge. This induded governance webinars. inductions, planning surgery and webinars on planning matters. Natlonal CPRE also hosts online networking groLSPS, campaign groups meetings and topic forums. Review of Activitie5 and Future Development The statement of financial activities for the year and the balance sheet are set out on the attathed pages. Our5trdte8y 202>26 for Doetr5 Towns. Willages and Countryside The Trustees and Countryside Forum members reMewthe Strategy annually as part of a health check and desire for it to be a living document. The Trustees are lookin8 to refresh the Mi55ion and Strategy for 2026, Natlonal CPRE'S Centenary year. The Strategy guides the Branth as we address issues Includlng plannlng, landscape, Tural etonomy and famiing, campaigns and projects, membership, organi5ation. influencing Opinion Leader5 and Dorset Deasion Makers. and climate change and nature emergenry. Plannln8 We continue to host monthly online Plannin8 Group Meetings to discuss the Local Plan5 and consultations. Members have joined in to contribute. ask questions, obseNe and receive regular planning news updates. This has enabled more volunteers to come forward antl make a valuable contribution. This has been another busy year. wth Dorset CPRE responding to local and national consultations includin8- Consultation on Brownfield Pass rts= Makin the Most f December 2024 Ensuring that local housinB need is met firstly throuEh the re-development of previously developed sites is a subject close to our heart. We therefore welcome and sUPPOrt the Government's ambition that development must look tu Brownfield first and the proposals set out in thi5 working paper. In our opinion the introduction of Brownfield P3SSPOrts will make a significant Contribution to bringing forward development on Previousty Developed LandlBrownfield Sites. To be most successful it is essential that these are.put togetherf wlth Inputs from lo1 stakeholders including the local community- We do not support a presumption in favour of brownfield land if it results in building in isolated. unsustsinable locations in the countryside. We believe that any Brownfield P355POrt5 should therefore be kept strictly under the control of the Local Planning Authority in accordance with the Local Plan. Written Statement in res onse to the Examin BCP Lotal Plan- December 2024 On 17th December, our Poole and Purbeck Group sijbmitted a detarled Written Statement on behalf of Dorset CPRE focusinE on Matter 2. Question 26. which asked, -A there any 'exceptional circumstances, that justify an alternative approach to the standard method in a55essing housing need, as per paragraph 61 of the framework? Is a constraints-based approach justified in this case?. tion of the 8oumemouth Christchurch and Poole
Campal8n to Protert Rural England Dorset Brdnch Gerald Rigler, Chair of Poole and Pvrbeck CPRE, and Heidi Poole, Dorset CPRE Planning Advisor. represented Dorset CPRE at the BCP Local Plan Examination Heafing on 22nd and 23rd January 2025. BCP Council argued in defence of adopting an alternative approach to the standard methDd for as5e55ing local housing need and that the December 2023 version of the National Planning Policy Framework INPPFI did not require them to release land from the Green Belt- preferring a strategy of urban containment. Following the hearing the Inspertors wrote to BCP Council. They concluded that BCP Council had failed to meet the Duty to Co-operate, engage constructlvely. artively, and on an onBoing basis with Dorset Council and New Forest Distritt Council INFDCI regarding unmet housing needs. The Inspectors were not persuaded that there are exceptional circumsLinces that justify an alternative approach to assessing housing need. The Inspectors recommended that BCP withdr3W their local plan from examination. and 8CP agreed to the withdrawal in June 202S. ndu ame ork for En land- ri12025 At the end of january 2025. the Govemment released a consultation on a Land Use Framework ILUFI for England. CPRE has been calling for a LUF for some time. A Frarnework is much needed in order to make joined up land use decisions. as we do not have enough land to fulfil all the functions that we require from it for exarnple food production. environmentsl commitments, energy, natural habitsts, housing and more. If done well. the new framework could help us bulld new homes and Infrastrurture in the most suitable and strategic locations, support nature's recovery. and tackle the climate crisis. Land is critical to economic growth. but our finite land should not needlessly be taken for development in the narne of growth. We discussed the LUF at our March and April Planning Group Meetings and submitted a response before the 25th April deadline. Dorset CPRE welcomed the opportunity to submit our comments on the draft Oorset Local Nature Recovery Strategy IDLNRSI and appreaated the hard work that hatl gone into its preparation. The draft Strategy provides a 10-year framework to enable everyone to work together to achieve shared vision for nature recovery auoss Dorset. As mentioned in the introduction to the DLNRS, as Nation we are committed to protect and conserve a minimum of 30% of land and sea for biodiversity by 2030130by301. as agreed at COP 15 and set out in the Kunming-montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. To be successful the DLNRS needs to provide a dear roadmap setting out how Nature Recovery on the scale required will be achieved. In our opinion the draft strètegy is largely a Msioning document and lacks a description of how the 30by30 targets will be achieved. Key elements that we would like to see clearly communicated in the DLNRS indude: A clearly established baseline of the current state of biodiversity in the county against which improvements can be measured. This could take the fom7 of an updated version of the Dorset Local Nature Partnership's Natural Value Report 2022. Cleady defined targets. explaining the changes required for 30by30 to be achSeved in Dorset. Real plans. poliaes and funding and a timetsble outlining tsrBets and monitoring progress.
Campaign to Pn>tert Rural En8land Dotset Branch Trustees. Report Res onse to Dorset Council Loc31 Plan Consultation on Site O tions In August 2025, Dorset Covncil launched a consultstion on the Loc31 Plan which will underpin future housin8 and development for 17 years from 2026 to 2043. Dorset Councll (DCI and its Ward Councillors called on residents, town and parish councils and local societie5 to.have your saf by responding to the consultation which closed on the 31st October. We wrote on 10th September to Parish and Town Council on our mailing list inviting them to our Planning Group Meeting and some joined in our weekly discussions to highlight local15sues. Dorset CPRE welcomes the opportunity to respond to this important consultstion and looks forward to continuing to work constructively a5 a key stakeholder concerned wtth prirtecting and enhancing the tyorset covntrysi¥Je and helpin8 our commLbnities to thrive. While Dorset Council's Vision and Strategic Priorities must sit within the framework of national planning policy, Dorset CPRE believes it is essential that the Local Plan be realistic, deliverable and sound. Dorset needs a Local Plan that identifies appropriate locatlons for new housing and employment while reflecting the counvs unique environmental. landscape, and infrastructure constraints. Such a plan must meet the genuine, eVIdend housing needs of Dorseys communities- not arbitrary central targets- while protecting the rural character, natural beauty, and blodiversi that define the county. Dorset CPR£ commissloned expert local planning consultant. Jo Witherden. to review some of the Council's proposed development sites. Her report forms part of a suite of inputs to Dorset Council. It is complemented by and Should be read alongside the responses. drawiThd on local knowledge and experience, submitted by Dorset CPRE members and local Group5. as well as those by local coun(ils. communities and indimduals. Local Tran5 ortPlan LTP4 The joint Oorset Council and BCP Council LTP consultation was also released in August 2025. Since the last Local Transport Plan ILTP31 was produced in 2011 a lot has changed. Dorset CPRE supports the vision of a cleaner. safer. and more inclusive transport system but urges Dorset Council to move from aspiration to delivery and accountability. The LTP must commit to fimi requlrement4 measurable targets. and real investment in publio community and active tran5POrt options. We notified all those on our e-newsletter list about these consultstions and induded a summary of our views. Our responses to consultations are posted in the Resources webpage on the Dorset CPRE website. A big thank you to all our hard-WOlng volunteers for contrlbuting their input to the Dorset CPRE responses Landscape Dorset has a distinctive rural tharacter that we need to nurture for future generations to allow everyone to enjoy the countryside for its health and wellbeing benefits. We wish to see planning and development which deliver the right houses in the right places. through Local Plans whith are appropriate to their areas an(i communities. Dorset CPRE maintsins that excessive lotal housing targets a wron& since they lead to planners beinB compelled to allocate sites for market housing on precious Green Belt land. We know that our communities need some development to support economic and community growth. This includes both market and truly affordable homes. But these need to be homes that reflert genuine local need not an arbitrary central government tsrget. Dorset Coundl has been set an undeliverable target of
Campaign to Pn>tect Rural Enzland Oorset Branch 3246 houses per year or 55.(KKI over the 17 year terni of the plan. This is nearly twice the previous targel and almost three times Dorseys average rate of house building of around 1.3C() houses per vear. Developers will simply not build what they cannot profitably sell. Any Local Plan based on unachievable housing numbers would soon frdil the governmenvs housing delivery test and result in plannin8 free-for-all under the so-called presumption in favour of sustainable development. Thi5 would allow developer5 to cherry pick sites throughout Dorset and Severely weaken the Council's ability to control developfflenL We continue to promote the Great Big Dorset Hedge IGBDHI survey- a Dorset Climate Action Network ICANI campaign to map. plant and rejuvenate sections of hedgerows across Dorset. Currently. there are 92 farmers participating in the project. CPRE volunteers help with hedgerow surveys as part of the GBDH initiative and meet the landowner where possible. We are delighted that John Calder, GBDH Manager, Is our guest speaker for our 88th AGM on 15th November. In April 2025, Dorset CPRE agreed another £G.cfundin8 request for the GBDH projett to sustaln Ihe momentum as they manage further growth and in recognition of the ambition and potential of Ihe project. Cllmate Change and N3re EmergenLy Dorset CPRE fully support net zero. We have been acttvefy promoting solar rooftop energy for some years to fight climate change. In June, the Government announced that from 2027 501ar panels wlll be required on all new-build homes in England. Large scale solar and on-shore wind farrns would cause huge damage to Dorseys internationally and natlonally important londscape. not only harming the envlronment but also impattinB on the important tourism economy. We sUPPOrt policies that encourage micrtrgeneration of renewable energy through the placement of solar panels on roof tops and community energy schemes. Some solar farms cause harm to protected landscapes. such as National Landscape5 (formerly Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty), heritage assets sud) as hlstorlc churches. and are being bullt on the best 38ricultural land which is inappropriate at a time of rising food prices. However. we are well aware that more solar frdrms will be needed to combat net zero and we particularly support small community funded one5, suth as the Dottery Solar Array near Bridport. Please also see ihe separate update on our 2025 Planning Conference.. 'Net Zero Homes. Can Dorset do it? We welcome (subject to further information) the proposed Dorset Clean Energy Super Cluster that includes deployment of Small Modular Reactors at Dorset Innovotion Park and Offsho wind turbines in the English Channel outside Lyme Bay. State of Nature As the "Dorset- State of Nature- pOrts have shown, habitats and biodiversity in Dorset have suffered serious decline for several decades, antl this dedine continues. We 5UPPOrt efforts. for example through the Dorset Local Nature Recovery Strategy (see above) to address and reverse this decline.
Campaizn to Pr¢kect Rural England l)orset Branch Trustees, Rert At our 16 November 2024 AGM. Roger Morgan-Grenville, Curlew Action Chair, gave an excellent talk on nature education. including sobering dats on how much young people know about nature. He spoke about the work of Curlew Action and his feelings about the state of nature and nature literacv in Brttain followng four years when he has walked a totsl of lo.1 miles around all comers of the country researchin8 and writing about local actlvlsm. Roger read a 1968 quote from SeneBalese environmentalist Baba Dioum. "In the end we will conserve only what we love,. we will love only what we understand: and we will understand only what we are taught.. Protecting and enhanan8 nature doe5 not C05t too much money and is good value. We need to reconnect with nature. protect what we have now and enable nature to recover. Campal8ns and Projects Please see separate updates on plannin& L(Kal Plans and hedgerows. Examples of significant planning applications we have campaigned against include: ke Farm In late 2024, RWE la specialist 501ar farm developefl announced they propose to construct ground mounted solar arrays. battery storage and a5soaated infrastructure on an area of land amounting to about 250 acres on a totsl site of 4C(J acres. The site is within the Parishes of mainly Castleton. but also Bradford Abbas. Nether Compton. Yeovil and {eT Compton. Yeovil is included as the grid connection is intended to run down the A30 into Yeovil. Thornford Parish is also materially affected and residents hold stronB views on the proposed 501ar farm due to its detrimentsl effect on the landscape. Our local group, the Sherbome and Distrirt Society strongly support the action group, Wyke Against Solar on Arable Land IWASAI in their fight against this proposal. In December 2024, the Trustees approved £3,QX) of funding and the Society raised £13,900 following an appeal for donations in February to support the action Eroup. Thi5 recognises the importance we attach to the need to object to thi5 proposal. cr5et CPRE contributed £900 towards the costs of a con5ultsnLry reporL WASA are awaiting the requested Environmental Impatt Ststement which must precede a planning proposal. Portian W te Incinerator The Stop Portland Waste Incinerator Attion Group and supporters attended the Court of Appeal hearin8 on 7th October 2025, at The Royal Courts of Justice, in their final bid to overturn the Government's decision to grant planning pemlission for a waste incinerator to be located at Portland Port- in the immediate Setting of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and in the setting of the Dorset Natlonal Landscape. Thejudges, decision will be known at some point within the next six months. Dorset CPRE Trustees agreed £lk of fundin& bringing our overall financial contribution to the campaign to £4,500 since 2021. Dorset Covncil had refused the plan in March 2023. voicing concerns over its visual impacL pollution and lorries. However. in 2024 the government approved the proposal. Dorset Counol decided not lo challenge the decision, leamng local campaigners to sustsin opposition to the proposed development.
Campalgn to Pffrrtect fturnl England Oorset Branch Trustees, Rert Solar Farni Hearin forNorth Farm near Horton Tower Rupert Hardy (Chair Nortt) Dorset CPREI antl loeal members skx)ke at the Solar Farni Hearing for North Farm Inear Horton Tower) application PIFUL/2023102829. We objected to two Ereenfield solar farm sltes in Horton in August 2023 Iboth now opproved) and contributed funding for Landscape Objection Statements. We are disappointed that the proposal was approved 6-1. the local Dorset Councillor, the local Parish Council and 74 objections had no bearing on the Councillors present. Seven Dorset councillors attended. with only one counollor voting against the application and there were five abstentions. Our Group was very disappointed at the number of councillors who failed to attend. Gyants and Sponsorship Dorset CPRE is one of the sponsors ot the annual Dorset Hegdelaying Competition held In September and organised by the Melplash Agricvltural Society who are committed to keeping the traditional skill of hedge laying alive. We attended the 2025 event and continued with support during the 202415 finanaal year. Some of the prize wnners are featured in an artide for our Autumn 2025 magazine. We continue to offergrants of up to £2 per request for Fingerpost repairs and thos is advertised In the Dorset National Landscape Fingerp05t Project webpage. As of August 2025, we have Spent £22.837.50 on grants for 164 fingerposts. since the scheme was13unched In 2017. Our February press release on the grant scheme was well received, and iwo volunteers came forward to offer their skills as Fingerpost Champions. Roger Bond. who co-ordinates the Dorset National Landscape Fin8erpost restoration project, undertuok irrtetviews and his workshop wa5 featured on ITV Meridian on Sunday 23rd March. The programme induded a visit to a newly restored fingery)st in Lytchett Matravers which Dorset CPRE prowded funding for. In 2020, Dorset CPRE receNed a very generous legary from Barbara Vance and explored specific projects that her legacy might in future be associated with. Followng visits to primary schools. in Sprlng 2024. Trustees agreed to set aside £2.5(K) for a 'Barbara Vance Countryside Prize,, enough to fund a minimum of 10 schools to receive up to £250, for wildlife related projects with evidence of outdoor learning and introducing children to the eountrysidelwral life. So far three projects have been completed. This year we paid a grant to The Prince of Wales School. Mr. Gary Sparcklen, Headteacher, wrote an article on 'Growing Mind5- tife in Our Vegetsble Plot and Wildlife Are* for our Spring 2025 magazine. A grant ha5 been approved for another primary school in Dorset. The Sherborne and District Soclety sponsor the Gryphon School Geography Award, whith is presented at the sthool's annual prize Biving ceremony in September. Rural E¢onomyand Farniing Our commitment to the local economy is not just about sewring apwopriate. and opposing inappropriate, devdopment. It 15 also to give our support to local famiers. In September George Hosford. from Traveller's Rest Farm near Ourweston. addressed our Countryside Forum. We are delighted to have George as our new A8ricultural Advisor. Our farmers need all the support they can get as they seek to stay in business. not least when the Government subsidy system is uncertain. It wa5 good to hear that Travellees Rest ha5 joined in the Great Dorset Hedge Project which Dorset CPRE is proud to sponsor.
Campaign to Pnrtect Rural England Dorset Branch This year we arranged two farm visits for our members. The first was to Coppet HilllPurcombe Farm located in Whitchurch Canonicorum, Bridport, for a talk and tour lookin8 at Regenerative Agriculture. The second was to Eastbrook Farm. a Dorset Council Country Fami in Shillingstone. In addition to being organic, Eastbrook farm is also in the mid Stour catchment area and subscribes to both the Countryside Stewardship scheme and the Sustainable Farming Incentive. The farm ha5 invested in a variety of complimenting environmentsl schemes whith have seen a growth in wildlife diversity in the last decade. Inlluencin8 Local Plan5 As mentioned earlier. the BCP Counal Local Plan withdrawn in June this year and we recently responded to the Dorset Council IrKI Local Plan Consultation on Site Options. In conclusion. Dorset CPRE urges both Councils to develop a Local Plan that reflect5 what Dorset tan sustainably deliver, not what national tsrgets demand. The Local Plan must be sound, evidence- based, and faithful to Dorset's landscape and community character. We remain ready to work constrvclively with the Council and 115 officer5 to help achieve that outtome. Currently planning applications are being assessed against adopted Local Plan5 forwest DorseL Weymouth and Portland. PLtrbeck. North Dorset, £ast Dorset and Christchurch. Dorset CPRE will continue to seek to intluence the thinknn8 of DC and BCP Council on their Local Plans and will monitor and respond to consultations on L(Kal Plans and on proposed developments. Dorset Wildlife Trust Last year, the Trustees deoded we should reach out to Dorset Wildlife Trust IDwn. As tsvo Dorset- wide voluntary organisations wth nature at their heart, we have many similar aims, and where these overlap, there may be opportunitie5 to collaborate. On 14th March. representstives of our Branch visited Lyscombe, Dwfs newest large-scale acquisition. The purchase of Lyscornbe was made p055ible through fvndin8 from Natural England's National Nature Reserves programme, and planned Nutrient Mitigation Credit Scheme, alongside generous donations from DWT members and supporters. Members of Dorset CPRE had raised some toncerns about the implications for the wider landscape as the Credit Scheme allows developers to purchase such credits to oftset the nitrogenous waste from new houses built in the Poole Harbour catchmenL In a thorough discussion of the issues, we were reassured that purtha5ing nutrient credits did not in Ttself guarantee that any particular site woul(J be developed- all existing checks and balances would need to be satisfied. On the other hand. the gains for wildlife from Lyscombe's restorative faming model would be considerable. 2025 Plannin Conference= 'Net Zero Homes. Can Dorset do it?. In June, our plannin8 conference looked at how Dorset can rise to the challenge of ensuring that all new homes achieve Net Zero. The event brought [ether industry experts, policy makers, developers and academics to discuss the lale5t innovation5 and challenges in zero carbon 5UStainable housing. The goal of achieving Net Zero homes is vital. Buildings account for 39 per cent of energv- related carbon emissions, which come from their construction. operation and maintenance- they are a major driver of global warming and climate change. li
Campaign to Protect Rural England Iyorset Bran¢h Tntees. Report One of the presenters. Sam Goss, Foundlng Director of Barefoot Architects. shared the story of Bridport CohousinB. now named Hazelmead- 3 pioneering Iow-carbon development of 53 Net Zero affordable homes built on land crowdfunded by members. Oeveloped to address the severe shortage of affordable. sustainable and community oriented housing in BridporL the projecr was deslgne(I to foster sociability and help reduce loneliness. All present agreed on the urgency of the challenge, echoing Sir David Attenborough's words.. Ylhat we do in the next ten year5 will profoundly affect the next few thousand." Copies of the presentstions and a link to the recordings can be found on the t)orset CPRE web51te. Meetin with CPRE South W Branches In August, Dorset CPRE organised a Zoom meeting with local CPRE representatives from Hampshire, Devon, Wiltshire, Somerset, Avon and North East Somer5et and Gloucestershire to discuss the planning issues, and the impart of the Governmentrs new housing targets. Councils in Somerset, Gloucestershire, Devon and Hampshire are all at different stages in the process of undergoing re- organisation. CPRE Somerset reported plannin8 problems following the council announcinB a 12 week shutdown from 25th July 2025. Devon and Hampshire CPRES reported that NewTowns are planned for their counties. All the Counties are suffering from the Government's rtew housing targets and where local plans are out ol date, they are Seeing applications for development being granted consent on appeal. There was a consensus that the Government's housing policy poses a great threat to the countryside nd National CPRE have been made aware of the stren8th of feeling that this needs to be campaiBned against. A further meeting is envi5a8ed. Other related activtties Members contlnue to be kept informed of our work through the well-received bi-annu81 magazine The Dorset Revie la 24 page publication with illustrated articles on our various campaigns and on Dorset history and the countryside). social media. e-newsietters. events. website update5. monthly article in Blackmore Vale magazine, and pre55 release& We continue to send monthly e-newsletters to our member5. Parish and Town Counols. Dorset Counollors. like minded organi5ations and those who si8n up to receive our e.newsletter. Membershlp Total membership as at 31° AuEUSt 2025 is 588. a 3% deuease on last yearfs membership which was 609. The total is based on the number of Households. Organisations and Parishnown Counal who pay a monthly or annual subscription. Fifteen Dorset CPRE volunteers manned our stand at various times over two d8ys at the annual Stock Gaylard Oak Fair during the Augusl Bank Holiday weekend. Our presence was productive in engaging with visitors, recruitirg new members and collecting e-mail addresses to expand our contact with the general public. We provided displays on Renewable Energy and Housing. The Dorset Council Local Plan, mentioned earlier. was the big discussion Item.
Thankyou to all membeT5. We externl owlleartfeltthanks to membets WIM) have 94ported us through thelrw)lunteering efforts duri thi5 >ar. we are very8ratefid. We're all vdunteers doing our btt. We hope thatthe Insplrtn8 work carrled out by our local Group5 aThl Voluntee will encoura8e more to join us. If not already a member. ple doioin us. Ald yourvoice for approprlate, sustsinable economic develowient for (YorAr that protects our amazir¥ countrysbde. We are very consciLws that we do not ojrmdy have an local Group covering Bournemouth. Christchurch and East Dorset t1 the we made some rew contscts at Bwrnem(xrth un11ty ar¥S100l( forvdrd to bulldlry these In the >wahe•l. We welcome new members. new trustees and mfft volurrteetswlm) Lan brlr¥ enthusiasm and new ener aTrJ help us to find potiVe sdutlw5 for the UeS and threatsfaaTha our beautiful DDr5et countrOde and our communitle5. Work1 togetherfor a better Ch)rset is ow aim and we would like to thank all of you for makifig Lh)r5et CPRE effetii¥e aThl infiuential. During the year, we sald goodtye to three past arti4e v0lu1rtee PeterBovier (fOrnr Chalr), Di( Heaslip (former Chair and Wice-Presidentl and Michael Fulford-rM)knn Iformer PresFdentl. Their obituarles can be found In the Aumn Iswe of our Ine Tr Dorset Re4leW. We are looklrva forwmrd to a landmark 4rahead wlth CPRVS Nati(ThlCentenary in 202& Our ntenary will mark l(X>years of thamploning the Eryli5h countryside. from National Parks and the Green Beltto dark skies and local ptanning. HOfullY it will provide an opportunity. not onlyto commernorate the last ICM)year5 of protecting the tountryside. but also to engage publlc and create a strongerfuture for CPRE. We will be rynisir% ourown ntenary lebratkn event with detslls to be confirmed in earfy 202& The annual rewt TfdS apprd ty the trustees ofthe tharity{ No¥*mber 2(r25 and signed on its behalf ty. Mrj Hughes VI Chair of Trustees
Campaign to ProteLt Rural England Dorset Brarbch independent Examlnerfs Report to the tte¢S of Campalgn to Protect Rural England Dorset Branth I report to the tharity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025, which are set out on pages 15 to 25. ResponslbS1itles and basls of report As the chariWs trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charitie5 Act 20111.the ACVI. I report in respect of my exarnlnatlon of the charivs accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 20111'the 2011 ACVI and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the opplicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145151 Ibl of the 2011 Art. Independent examlnerfs ststement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connertion with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: Accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 130 of the Act,. or The accounts do not accord with those records,. or The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts Set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2CQ8 other than any requirement that the accounts give a'true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part ofan independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this reFK>rt In order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Marcus Crldland 8.A.IHonsl F.CA. Scott Vevers Ltd. Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors 65 East Street Bridport Dorset DT6 3LB Date: . l£..l.i L.L. i%................-.......
Campal8n io Protètl Rural En8land Dtsrstt Bramch Statement of Finandal Actsvities fry the Year Eded 31 Au£ust 2025 2025 Total fvnds 2024 Total fvhds Unrestrlded fund5 Notes In¢om• and Endowmtntsfrnm: Donations and legaues Acbvities for generating fvnds Investment In¢ome 39.275 39.275 21,551 255 255 2.363 24.708 24,708 24,164 Total Income 64.238 64.238 48.078 ExpendStwe on". Raising funds Charltable attlties 157,7401 157.7401 158.2391 I.448} 112.8S31 I,448) Total expenditufe 170.ts81 170,1881 171,0921 Gain$05$e$ on imfestment assets 12.337 12.337 34.843 Net movemerbt in hjnds 6.387 6.387 IL829 Ilecondllatlon of funds Total funds broughtforward 760,642 760,642 748.813 Total fvnds carried forward 767 029 767.029 760.642 All of the charity's activities derive from ntInuing operations during the ab(y•e two period The funds breakdown for 2024 is sh(y•m in note 14. The notes on pages 17 to 25 form an Integral part ol these finandal ststements.
IRe8lsirth 2119741 2025 T8ng¥ble assets 35 71 538.124 538,195 605.121 Debtors Cash at bank ar in hoT¥l io 206 189.610 189.816 224.3&) 224.3 li 117,9)81 17L 777.029 11.9131 222847 760.642 io.cwi 767,029 7f4J,642 FvrtdsJf the dwrr. UnrestrKted 767.029 7Ei),642 Trtal fvn05 767.029 760,642 on. -. arnl svdonttbehaltr by. -5 :yLJ&-NU5 Mrj Hu8trs Chalr of Tnastees The noteson ptyes 17 to 25 fm an lrtwal partoftlfirljE5tat¢Ment¥
Campa1 to Protert Rural En813nd Ocrfset 8ran(h Note5 to the Anandal Statements torthe Year Énd 31Au8ust2025 l A¢¢0urrt1 pollcle5 5tatemtnt of compllan The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accountin8 and Reportin8 by Charities= Statement )f Recommended Practice applicable to tharities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reportin8 Standard applicable in the VK and Republic of Ireland issued in Ociober 2019. the Financial ReportinE Stsndard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021. the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generalty Aeptsd Accounting Pracrice. Basjs of prepar Campaigti to Protect Rural England Dorset 8rnnth meets the deh"nition ol a publlc benefit enuty under FRS 102. The atcounts Ifinancial statements) have been prepa¥ed under the htorical cost c¢Mvention with ¢tems recognised at rost or transattion value unless otherwise Sf4ted in the relevant notels) to these accounts. Golng Concern The Trustees considerthat there ar¢ r*0 material unrertainlie5ab(wrtthe tharity's ability to continue a5 a EOtn8 concern. Income and endowments Voluntary income includlng donat15, wft5, legacies and Brants that provide core lunding or are of a general natu is recogni5ed when the charity has enlivement to the income, it Is probable that the income will be rereived and th amount r•n be measured w¢th suffioent reliabilrty. Donotion50nd legleS Donation$ ond le8acie5 are recognised on a recer¥ae basis when recelpt Is proba1e and the amount fan be veliaèly measured. Expendsture All expenditure is recognlsed once there is a legal or con5trucbve cblwion to that expenditure, it is probable setdErnent is required and the amount can be measured reliably. costs are allorated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that cate80ry. Where Costs cartrThot be dirertly attrIbed to particular headings they have been allccated on a basis consistent with the use ol Yesource5. CEntral stsff costs allocated on the ba515 01 time spent. and depreciatlon ¢har8e5 allocated on the portion of the asset's use. Other support costs a allotated based E>n the Spread of the staff costs. Rolsinyfunds These are r05ts incurred in attracti voluntary income, the managernerrt of investments and those incurred in tradin8 Ctive$ that raise fund5. Support ¢osts Support COSI include central functions and have been allocated to actiwty c05t cate8ories on a basis consistent wth the use of resources. for examplp. allototiTrK property costs by floor areas. or per capita. 5tsff wsts by the tirne Spent and other costs bytheir u5a8e.
CaTrpal8n to Protert Rural En8land Dwset Branch Notes to the Finandal Statements for the Year Ende4131 August2025 Taxation The charity is considered to pass the tests set ojt in Paragraph I Schedule 6 of the finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the delinltion of a ¢haritable ci)rnpany for UK corpwalion tsx purposes. Accordingty. the charity is potentiolly exempt from taxation respect of incorne or capital gains received within c3te8ories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 ol the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Sertion 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Art 1992. to the extenr that such income or 83ins are applied exCluve1V to charitable purposes. Tan8ible fftxed assets Fixed assets for charity use are capitslL%ed at¢ost. They3 ststed In the accounts at cost less depreciation. Depreciation and amort15atlon Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so a5 to ¥fflte off the c05t or valuation, le55 any estimated residual value. Dver their expected useful n0FFc life a5 follow.. Asset dass Fixture5, fittings and equipment recllon method and rate 20% straight line basis Flxed asset Investments Fixed asset investments, other Ihan programme ielaled investments, are incded at market value at the balance sheet date. Reallsed Rains and losses 0th inve5trnents a talculated as thÈ difference beleen sales prOed5 and their market ¥alue at the start of the year, or thr subsequent cosL and are thar8ed or credited to the Ststement of Finaniial Activitie5 in the period of di5P05al. unalISed 8ains and losses Psent the mcwement in market values the year and are credited or thar8ed to the Statement of Flnancial Actlvitles based on the market value atthe year end. Cash and ¢a$h equi7olents Cash and rash equivalents cornprise cash on hand and call depD5its. and other 5hort-tEm highly liquid investments that are readily £onvErtible to a known amount of wh and are subject to aft tnsi8Thifscant risk of thange in value. Fund stryciure Unrestricted income fund5 are general fund5 that are available for use at the trustee5 discretion in furtherance ol the objectlves of the charity. DeslgnatÈd Funds are unrellrttted funds set aside frspetffi£ purposes atthe discretSon of the trustees. Flnanclal Instrufflents CloMUk#tlon Financial assets and linanoal liabilitles a £ISed when the tharity becomes a paty to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial liabilities and eouity instruments are dasgfied according to the substants of the Contyathual arran8ernents entered into. An equlty Instrument is any contratt that evidentos a resldual interest In thÈ assets of the charfry after deducting all 0¢ its liabilities.
CampaiKn to PTOtert Rural Engknd Dorset Branth Notesto the Flnandal Statements forihe VEaT Ended 31 Au8ust 2025 Re4¥ ondmery5urennt All financial assets and liabiltties are inttially measured at transaction price Illlduding transattioTr costs), except for th05e finanoal assets dassified as at fair value throu8h profitor1055, whith are Inalty measured at fair value Iwhich is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs), unless the atrangement cwstitutes a financing transattion. If an arrangement ion5tytutes a finanong transacbon, the finanaal asset or finanoal liability 15 measured èt the present V31ue of the future payments discounted at a market rateof Interest for a Similar debt instrument. Financial assets and 113bllftles are offset in the ststement of finahtsal position when, and only when there e¥ists a le8ally efifLx¢eable right to set olf the reco8nised amounts and the tharity intend5 wther to settle on a net basi5, or to realise the asset and settle the lièbiltty simultsneou5ty. Financial assets are dereco6ni5ed when arsd only when al the contractU31 rights to the cath flows frorn the financial asset expire or are settled. t>) Ihe tharlty transfers to another party sub5tantialty all of the ri5k5 and ieward5 vf ownership ol the linanrial asset, or cl the charity, despite han8 retalned some. but not all. 98nlllcant rlsks and reward5 of ownershlp, has transferred control of the a55et to another party- Financial liabilities are derEtognised onty when the obligatit¥b specified in the contrart is di5rhar8ed. caneelled Dr expiie5. Investmertts Investments in non-convertible weference share5 and Don-PUttsble ordinary or preference share5 Iwhere 5hères are publicly traded or their fair value is liablY measurablel are measUd at falr value through profit or loss. Where lair value cannot be measured reliabty. investments are measured at cost less impaim)ent. Investments in 5ub5idiarie5 and 355wates are measured at Cost less imp3irrnent. For inve5tment5 in 5ubsidiarie5 acquired for consideration indudins the issve of 5hare5 qualifyir58 for merger reliel, cost i5 rneasured by rEfefencE to the numinal value of the shzre5 issued plus falrvalue of other ¢onsIderaon. Any premlum ts Ignored. Folr volue meosurement The best evldence of fair value Is a quoted prict for an identical a55et in an actsve rnarket, When quoted prices are unavallable, the price of a recent transaCtiC lor an identical asset provides evidence ol fair value 3$ long as there has not been a signlflcani chan8e In e(orni( cirwmstsnces or 5i8nificdnt lapse of time %nce the transartion tODk place. If the rnarket 15 not active and recent fftnsactions of an identical asset on their ovm are a good estimate of fair value, the fairvalue Is estimated by using a valuation tethnique.
c¥rtpal io Proitrt Rural EnRl•d D¢vset Branth Notes tg the Flmandal swments for the Year Ended 3IAu8u5t 2025 2 In¢ome from donatlgns •nd legocies Unrestrkled Genwal Tot 1025 Total 2024 Donations and le8aaes.' Appea15 and donations Legacies Sub5CriPtions I74 17.894 199 21.381 39.275 21.381 39,275 21.352 21.551 3 Income frnm actfvttlesforw*ratlTr8funts Unrestrkted Total 2025 Total 2024 General Events Incorne.. Fund raising aciiwtles 255 255 255 255 2.363 2,363 4 In¥e5tment Income UnrestrKted Total 2025 Total 2024 General Income from fixed asset investrnents Bank interest 18.696 6.012 24.708 18,696 6,012 24,708 16,079 8,085 24,IfA
Campallln io Protert Rurat En8land Dwset Branth Ilotesto the Finanr431 Statemtnts forthe year Ended 31 August 2025 5 Total resources expend Costs of enera16nz fvnd5 Chitabt artiviiies Totsl 2025 Total 2024 5ubcontra¢t C05t Travelling Insurance Telephone and f Room hire Printin& posta8e and stationery Advertising 8ranch news letter Other expenses Accountanry fee5 Management charges 8ank char8e5 DrecIation Professional fees and subscriptions Computer software Shows and fvncUoThs Campai8nS 41.080 287 46S 209 415 41,080 287 465 209 415 3.39S 374 3,980 S13 2,056 4,485 126 36 41,308 451 201 435 3.470 190 3,395 374 3,980 513 2.056 4.485 126 36 1.895 4.420 169 36 495 381 1.940 Iri,913 71.092 319 319 708 11.740 70,188 11.7tl0 12.448 57.740 Included in the above fi8ure. £57,74012024.. £58.2391 relate5 to SUPPQrt costs. and £12.44812024.. £12,853> relate5 to direct costs. Accountancy fees are wholly in respect of an independent examination.
Campa1 to Protect Rural EnBl•nd Dorset Branth Plotes to the Flnandal Statements lorthe Year Ended 31 A¥St 202S 6 Trustee$ remuneratlon and expenses During the year the charity made the followin8trnnsèttions trustees.. Mr R J Bowmer Enil12024.. £401 uf expenses We 1MbUr5ed to Mr RJ Brwmer durinB theyear. No tru5tee5. nor any persons ¢thnerted w((h them, have rttei¥eLI any Temuneration frorn the charity during the year. No trustees have received any other reimbursed expen5e5 orother benefits IrDm the charity dur¢n8 the year. 7 Taxaiion The charity is a regt5tered tharity and is therefore exempt Irom t3xation. Tanglble fixed assets Flxiyre fftting5 and eyulpment Total C05t orvaluatlon As at I September 2024 Addltlons OisP05als A5 at 31 August 2025 2.168 2,168 2,168 2,168 Depreciation A5 at I September 2024 Charge for the year Eliminated on disposals at 31 Au8YSt 2025 2.097 36 2,097 36 2,133 2,133 Net book value A5 at 31 August 2025 35 35 A5 Ot 31 Au8USt 2024 71 71
Campalgn to Protert Rural England Dotset 8ran(h r4ote5 to the Flnandal Statements fortheyear Ended 31 A5t 2025 Flxed asset investments 2025 2024 Other Investments 605,086 605,086 538,124 538,124 Othèr Investments Usted Urtllsted inveslrnents In¥ertmerts T¢rtal Cort or¥aluation As at l September 2024 Revaluation Additims Disposals s at 31 August 202S 246.(7 15.643 114,991 160.3661 316,335 292.057 13,3061 538.124 12.337 114.991 160,3661 605,086 288.751 Net book value As at 31 August 2025 As at 31 Au8115t 2024 316,335 246.067 288,751 292,057 605,086 538,124 IQ Debtor5 X12S 2024 Prepayments 21 206 11 QedStors: amounts due wlthln one year 2024 Other creditors Accrua15 15.025 2,883 17,908 610 1,303 1,913
Campal8n to Protert Rural Enand Dorset Branch Notes to the F1Thand Statements forthe Year Ended 31 August 2025 Credltors: amounts falllw due after mor thart on¢year 2Q24 Other creditors io,oLK) io.orM) Durlng the year, the North Dorset Group recived a donaiiM of f13.8(XJ12024- £nlll from the Sève Our Silton Group following the closure of their bank actount. The Our <on Group had originally been estsblished ro campaign a8ainst the propcsal of wind turbine5 at Silton. near Gillingham and ther carnpai8n wa5 5ucce$5ful. The donation was made on the understanding that. should thE kve Our Silton Group need to be re-forn)ed to oppose a new application within the next five years, £IO,¢JXS of the funds would be returned to thern. Thi5 five year period will condude On 2S November 2029. Funds Balance at I Swtember 2024 Other reco8nlsd 8alnsll1055esl Balance at 31 Atsuvst 2025 In¢omln8 resources Resource5 expended Unrestrfrted General 1614.3981 162.0471 134.1971 164,2381 1608,4481 162,0471 196,5341 Designated Revaluation reserve 112,337) Totsl fvnds 1760.6421 164.2381 70,188 112.3371 1767.0291
Campa1 to Protect Rural En8l¥d O(net Branth Nott5 tg the Fin#n¢lal Statements forthe Year Ended JI AuKu5t 2025 14 Analys15 of net a55ets between fvnds Unrestrltted fun¢ts General Total funds at 31 Au8ust 2025 Tangible fixed a55ets Fixed asset investments Current assets 35 605.086 189.816 117,9081 iio,cooi 767,029 35 605,086 189,8LG 117,9081 iio,0001 767,029 Long terni liabilitie5 Total net assets Unrestr4cted funds fjeneral Total funds it 31 Au8llSt 2024 Tangible fixed assets PIxEd o55et investments Current assets Current liabilities long ierm liabilitles Total net assets 71 S38,124 224.360 11.9131 71 538,124 224.360 11.9131 760,642 760,642 IS Financial instrument5 2025 2024 ategorisation of finanoal instnJments- Financial assets that are éebt instrument measured at amtytised cost 189.816 224,360 Finan¢ial Ilabilities measured ai amcftlsed cost 127.9081 11,9131