CPRE’s Virtual Volunteer Awards 2020

Caroline Dibden’s special contribution was recognised at CPRE’s virtual volunteer awards 2020

Volunteers and staff from across the CPRE network of local groups joined our online two-day annual conference in October 2020. The virtual volunteer awards were held during the conference to celebrate the achievements of this year’s award nominees.

Our very own Caroline Dibden, newly elected as Vice President and leader of our activities in South Hampshire, was recognised for her Special Contribution.

Caroline has been volunteering for over 26 years with CPRE Hampshire and has been a Trustee for 9 years. Our Chair, Dee Haas, nominated Caroline, and says: ‘Caroline works incredibly hard, has a lively intellect and is a reliable, dedicated volunteer colleague who has contributed hundreds of hours to CPRE both locally and nationally. I feel that she deserves the highest award possible.’ Caroline has become our expert in housing numbers and has worked both within Hampshire and nationally to demonstrate that the housing targets are not based on up to date population projections. Caroline is also leading the campaign for a new Green Belt in South Hampshire.

Of Caroline’s many achievements and successes, the Eastleigh Local Plan campaign win stands out. Caroline has worked alongside the action group ADD (which she helped to set up) to successfully campaign for a more sustainable siting for housing within the local plan. Eastleigh’s preferred option for 5,500 homes, industrial space and a new road with bridge over the River Itchen, was deemed unjustified by the inspector. This constitutes a major win for the countryside in South Hampshire.

As leader of the South Hampshire District Group, she covers a massive area and several boroughs including Fareham, Portsmouth, Southampton, Gosport, Eastleigh and Havant. Caroline is also Vice Chair of CPRE’s County Branch Forum.

Congratulations and huge thanks Caroline from all of us at CPRE Hampshire!