Encouraging development on brownfield sites over green spaces will be a priority for the incoming head of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), a former Norfolk resident.

Eastern Daily Press: Andrew MotionAndrew Motion (Image: Archant)

Emma Bridgewater is to take over as president of the group from Sir Andrew Motion, a former poet laureate and creative writing professor at the Norwich-based University of East Anglia.

Mrs Bridgewater used to live Aldborough in North Norfolk and is now based in Oxfordshire. Her ceramics company, also called Emma Bridgewater, employs more than 270 people in Stoke-on-Trent.

She said: 'I have a clear mission for my tenure as president of the CPRE – to encourage continuing development on suitable brownfield sites and so help drive the dynamism that development will bring to our towns and cities – and in doing so protect our countryside.

'This will enable our inner cities not just to benefit from redevelopment but help them give rise to the creativity that flourishes when we invest in making our urban centres work for people.

'By concentrating on that regeneration we will safeguard the countryside, that vital escape and sustaining hinterland that our urban centres especially need so much.'

Sir Andrew said he would continue with the group.

He said: 'I'm delighted that Emma Bridgewater is to succeed me as the president of CPRE. She'll do a tremendous job in helping the organisation to protect our precious countryside at a time when it's under graver threats than ever before.

'I am also delighted to have been asked to stay on as vice president, and will do whatever I can to help the cause in that role.'

Sir Andrew took over as CPRE president from author Bill Bryson in 2012.

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