Norfolk's would-be MPs have been challenged to do more to show they recognise the importance of the county's countryside - and what they would do to enhance and protect it.

Campaigners say issues such as flooding, housing, farming and planning are crucial issues in a rural county like Norfolk.

CPRE Norfolk says election candidates should be talking more about how they would protect Norfolk's countrysideCPRE Norfolk says election candidates should be talking more about how they would protect Norfolk's countryside (Image: Mike Page)

But they say they have not heard enough from General Election candidates about those issues.

The Norfolk branch of countryside charity CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) has produced its own manifesto outlining policies and actions that will enhance and protect the countryside, which it has sent to all candidates.

David Hook, from CPRE NorfolkDavid Hook, from CPRE Norfolk (Image: Bill Smith)

David Hook, from CPRE Norfolk, said: "The important contribution that the countryside makes to our well being, landscape and food supply has hardly been mentioned by the political parties in this General Election campaign.

"Plans for new towns, giant pylons, additional housing in green belts, road building and other new infrastructure will result in a significant loss of countryside.

"It poses a real threat to the landscape, wildlife habitats, rural tranquillity and agriculture in Norfolk, elsewhere in East Anglia and the nation as a whole."

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The CPRE Norfolk manifesto addresses eight topics - agriculture, housing, planning, renewables, access to the countryside, light pollution and rural tranquillity, flooding and transport.

It urges the next government to fix the "broken system" when it comes to housing.

The charity says "excessively high" top-down housing targets and land-banking by developers had contributed to the loss of countryside, while failing to provide genuinely affordable homes.

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CPRE Norfolk wants brownfield sites prioritised, for land-banked sites to be built before new ones are earmarked for homes and for empty offices or shops, such as the former Debenhams in Norwich, to be turned into a mix of housing, including some for social rent.

The former Debenhams store in NorwichThe former Debenhams store in Norwich (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The charity has previously called for a green belt around Norwich - and urged candidates to support that campaign.

It also calls for the next government to provide more money and practical help to councils, the Environment Agency and landowners to provide natural flood management schemes.

Barry Herber was among the people in Attleborough flooded during Storm BabetBarry Herber was among the people in Attleborough flooded during Storm Babet (Image: Newsquest)

That comes in the wake of major flooding in Norfolk in recent years, including in Attleborough and Long Stratton.