12 July 2023
It's good to see the Government's new report: ‘Unleashing Rural Opportunity’ which sets out plans to boost rural communities by improving planning, housing, digital connectivity, transport, jobs and tackling rural crime.
Measures in the report include:
- A commitment to consult on making it easier for farmers to convert redundant agricultural buildings into new houses by cutting red tape. Planning rules could be changed to provide a more generous threshold delivered through a more streamlined planning process.
- A network of ‘rural housing enablers’ to act as brokers between developers and communities. Backed by £2.5m of funding, they will identify sites with local support for development and in keeping with the local area.
- A new £7m fund to test new ways to bring together satellite, wireless and fixed line internet connectivity to support farmers and tourism business access fast and reliable connectivity in remote areas.
- Legislate by the summer to increase fly-tipping and litter penalties and consult stakeholders on ringfencing the use of these fines to fund further action on fly-tipping.
It is really positive to see the Government focussing on our rural communities and acknowledge that rural areas contribute 15% to England’s economy, which amounts to more than £250bn of national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). I strongly believe with a bigger focus and more commitment our rural communities could contribute even more to our economy. ‘Unleashing Rural Opportunity’ is a good start on which we can build to truly start revving up our rural economic engine.
The Government's new Housing and Regeneration Strategy is going to re-look at permitted development rights to turn existing commercial, agricultural and other buildings into new homes, as well as changes to farm development, allowing businesses to extend, and more outdoor markets to be held. This new flexibility for our rural farms and business should really help to power up our rural economy.
