THE Campaign to Protect Rural England has announced a new chairman for the Hampshire area.

Dee Haas, from Ellisfield in North Hampshire, has taken on the role and is very passionate about the countryside and is known locally for her campaigning with residents and the parish council against development on greenfield sites.

Dee intends to widen the charity’s appeal so that it can reach a working age membership, and would like to encourage more people, particularly larger communities, to rediscover and appreciate the countryside on their doorstep.

She hopes to help CPRE Hampshire protect the county’s landscape for future generations to enjoy.

Dee said: “I have been very taken with the wealth of expertise existing in our voluntary and paid members and the way that they can respond quickly to help people in their campaigns.

“The supportive, educational planning workshops are very helpful and I love the programme of visits and activities.

“The Countryside Awards scheme is a great asset to the charity and its corporate supporters, so I would like to see that developing in the future.”

CPRE’s National Charter, launched in July 2013, is asking for better protection for the countryside, a fair say for local communities in planning for the places where they live and work, and more housing – but of good quality and in the right places.

In the Test Valley, CPRE Hampshire members are awaiting the revised version of the Draft Local Plan.

The charity’s concerns will focus on housing development proposals and whether these will reflect the recent downward trend in population projections as well as giving priority to building on brownfield land.

Dee is succeeding Peter Bedford, who continues as chair of North Hampshire District.