Sir Andrew Motion, the president of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, visited Wiltshire's CPRE branches to discuss countryside issues with local volunteers.

In a whistle-stop tour of the region, taking in the West Country’s glorious landscapes, Sir Andrew, a former poet laureate, met branch representatives and other activists to discuss past and current concerns.

Starting in Wiltshire with the local CPRE branch and the White Horse Alliance, Sir Andrew travelled to the Westbury White Horse to view the rejected Westbury bypass route and the proposed extension of the Cranborne Chase area of outstanding natural beauty.

He was treated to a picnic lunch under the White Horse, before addressing volunteers.

Sir Andrew then moved to the medieval village of Norton St Philip in Somerset to meet local volunteers and discuss the difficulties in opposing housing developments. 

He said of the visit: “It has been fantastic to meet CPRE members and other countryside activists. Their work to protect and enhance the West Country’s beautiful landscapes is invaluable.

“The West Country’s historic green fields are being threatened by ill-devised transport and housing projects that are rejected by local people on reasonable grounds.

"It is also extremely frustrating that the region’s crucial Green Belt is being continually threatened with development.

"To preserve the wonderful character of the West Country landscape we should be looking to regenerate brownfield land which is well-connected to existing communities and amenities.

“CPRE recognises the need for efficient local transport, and it is vital that people of all ages can get around. But the answer is not more cars, greater vehicle dependence and more congestion.

"We have to look at investment in the environment and local services rather than in new major roads. It is investment in these areas that will ensure that the West Country continues to flourish economically as well as environmentally.”

On his visit to the White Horse Alliance group and CPRE Wiltshire, Sir Andrew said: “From my visit to the White Horse it is quite clear that the proposed A350 bypass would cut deep into the environmental and aesthetic heritage of Wiltshire, disfiguring and dismembering Westbury’s clay vale and devaluing its historic drove roads.

“I strongly support the efforts of CPRE Wiltshire and the White Horse Alliance to realise the designation of the area as part of the Cranborne Chase AONB, and to raise awareness of the need for better public transport to sustain existing infrastructure.

“It is also clear that further business development must be very carefully considered, especially in relation to the preservation and character of the existing beautiful landscape.”

Cate Mack, regional vice chair of CPRE, said: “The eastern route Westbury bypass proposal was roundly rejected at a public inquiry in 2008, sparing the beautiful Wellhead Valley and protecting the setting of the White Horse.

"At that time we welcomed the inquiry inspector’s view that the claimed economic benefits would not justify the damage to the landscape, and this remains true today. The area’s enduring popularity amongst local people continues to support that position.

“Good infrastructure planning would connect the station to the jobs located to the west of the town, while improving public transport opportunities for residents and employees.

“Instead of a harmful road building project we should be looking to extend the Cranborne Chase AONB to cover the White Horse and the Wellhead valley.

"This would rightly safeguard the area against further development, preserving its beautiful character for generations to come.”