A SURVEY carried out by the Hampshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) at Hampshire farmers’ markets since April has shown what the public think are the biggest issues for the countryside.

In CPRE Hampshire’s 50th anniversary year, the charity asked people at farmers’ markets across the county, including Alton and Petersfield, what they thought its priorities should be over the next 12 months.

A clear majority of the 364 people who completed the survey (78%) said responding to planning applications to prevent damaging developments. This was closely followed by 76 per cent who said campaigning for a green belt in south Hampshire.

Talking to and influencing MPs about the dysfunctional planning system and helping communities with neighbourhood plans also scored highly.

CPRE Hampshire director Michael Rescorle said: “The partnership with Hampshire Farmers’ Markets, which has been running for two years, has enabled us to engage with the public. More than 900 people have completed our surveys and the results influence our projects and campaigns.

“I am grateful to Hampshire Farmers’ Markets for the opportunity to have a stall at their markets and for providing the hamper which, as last year, contained excellent examples of local food and produce.”

All those who participated in the survey were entered in a free prize draw to win a hamper from Hampshire Farmers’ Markets producers.

This year’s winner was David Aston of Four Marks, near Alton. David and his wife Cheryl, who are CPRE members, were presented with their hamper in Alton on December 10 by Mr Rescorle, accompanied by market manager Tim Arnold.

In Hampshire, CPRE has almost 2,000 members and a team of hardworking volunteers.