Countryside campaigners have called for politicians of all parties to back higher targets for brownfield land and promote urban renewal in their general election manifestos.
Launching its own manifesto, the Campaign to Protect Rural England called for progress in planning, habitats and fly-tipping. It challenged voters to support its agenda.
"Too often, the environment and the countryside seem to disappear off the political radar in the heat of a general election campaign," said head of campaigns Ben Stafford.
"But millions of people live, work in and visit the countryside, and millions are members of groups that want their leaders to protect precious areas of beauty and tranquillity from excessive development, neglect and mismanagement."
He said politicians should stop rubbishing planning and recognise its potential as the most democratic way to protect the countryside, promote urban regeneration and improve quality of life.
"The next Government should also back higher development targets for brownfield land and invest heavily in low carbon travel, including in often-neglected rural areas," said CPRE.
It also called for better protection for green belts, national parks and AONBs. It said there should be a stop to nibbling away at green belts.
