Although the final report of the inquiry is scheduled for completion in February 2010, a report commissioned to inform the inquiry says, “the greatest threat to the future of upland communities [is the] ambiguity regarding the significance, value and role of upland communities themselves.” 

 The report goes on to say that there is a risk that upland communities will continue to be characterised by disadvantage unless we see a shift in people’s perceptions of the uplands, including those who live and work there, from “less favoured” to “highly favoured” places.

The report draws on international experience to conclude that England is not alone in seeking to address questions of the future development of the uplands and in having to accommodate demands from an increasingly diverse range of interests.  It highlights the relevance of the uplands to us all, both nationally and internationally.

The ‘Developing the English Uplands’ report explains why there is the need for upland communities to be much more closely involved in the policy decisions that affect them and considers how this might be achieved.

The full report can be read here

We look forward to the publication of our own inquiry next year, focusing on the needs of people living and working in upland communities.

Earlier this year we held a series of inquiry panel hearings across every region of England containing uplands

Recently we invited all those who attended hearings in a particular locality to hear about our initial findings for the inquiry and to have the opportunity to feed in thoughts and views that will help us in creating our final recommendations. The summary and full report can be found on Natural England's website.

To supplement our findings we commissioned research to build and extend on the responses we gathered. It was designed to engage with a wide range of people, particularly those who might not otherwise participate in the Inquiry.

The research used a variety of methods to produce in-depth analysis and draw out emerging themes, to help explore and understand the interwoven and complex issues of each upland area.

Download a copy of the research report 'The Views of the Communities'

Find out more about our inquiry into the future of England's upland communities

If you'd like to know more about this or other work undertaken to inform our inquiry please contact us at: uplandsinquiry@ruralcommunities.gov.uk

The inquiry is on schedule to report its findings in the autumn of 2009.

Some of those giving evidence to our Inquiry Panel suggested that agriculture remains ‘small but vital’ to the uplands economy, through its significant role in the conservation of  landscape, provision for recreation and even its contribution to the greater diversity in the economy – farming providing the base for a multitude of new enterprises.

Our Inquiry Panel  heard evidence that upland economies have already diversified beyond traditional forms of agriculture and tourism. References were made to the extraordinary levels of homeworking, and the changing composition of upland communities, specifically the significance of in-migrants, who were described as the key to extending the range of economic activity still further.

For those linked to the management of the land, it was suggested that new economic models ‘must address public goods and services’ but in an increasingly diverse economy, the policies of government at every level should develop the relationship across sectors, addressing the needs of all those who live and work in our upland communities.

In this last of 6 regional hearings, several other significant concerns, challenges and potential solutions were raised by about 40 participants contributing evidence to the inquiry.

Download the hearing summary

Summary notes of the 5 other hearings in Shropshire, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Derbyshire and Devon are already available to download on our main Uplands Communities page.

If you have any queries or would like to raise any points yourself please contact the inquiry team at: uplandsinquiry@ruralcommunities.gov.uk

Some of those giving evidence to our Inquiry Panel said that broadband is now essential to the success of many tourism businesses on the moors of the South West, citing the growth in online destination marketing and the increasing use of multi-media and online booking for holiday lets.

Our Inquiry Panel also heard that there is a common perception that hi-tech businesses can't operate in the uplands. However examples were given of many companies in the South West who can and do run successful businesses from upland towns, villages and even from their own homes.

There is a growing concern that most rural communities, particularly those in the more remote valleys, will be left behind as next generation higher speed broadband leads to new services that upland communities will not be able to access. This was one of the key issues raised in our recent report 'Mind the Gap: Digital England - a rural perspective'.

In this 5th of 6 regional hearings, several other significant concerns, challenges and potential solutions were raised by about 40 participants contributing evidence to the inquiry.

Read the hearing summary

Summary notes of earlier hearings are already available on our main Uplands Communities page and notes on the last hearing will follow shortly.

If you have any queries or would like to raise any points yourself please contact the inquiry team at: uplandsinquiry@ruralcommunities.gov.uk

Some of those giving evidence to our Inquiry Panel suggested that young people are leaving the uplands for higher paid jobs in the cities. Unaffordable housing was cited as a barrier for them to stay, and some suggested that young people feel forced to leave.

In upland communities there is a widely held perception that the supply of workspace can be very limited, the provision of business support for young people is sometimes perceived as lacking or inadequate, and others express concerns that they are caught up in planning regulations.

On a more positive note, some young people in the High Peak have been attracted to the area because of the Buxton campus of the University of Derby, and by the high skilled jobs on offer with specific employers such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) laboratories.

In this fourth of six regional hearings, several significant concerns, challenges and potential solutions were raised by about 40 participants contributing evidence to the inquiry.

Read the hearing summary

Summary notes of earlier hearings are already available on our main Uplands Communities page and notes on the other hearings will follow shortly.

If you have any queries or would like to raise any points yourself please contact the inquiry team at: uplandsinquiry@ruralcommunities.gov.uk

State of the Countryside Update: Uplands indicates that many prevailing views about uplands life need challenging. On one hand a quarter of households in the uplands are living below the poverty line, average hill farming incomes have fallen by as much as 40% and there is a continuing decline in the provision of local services.

On the other hand upland economies demonstrate a diverse range of employment opportunities. As many as 1 in 4 businesses are run by enterprising sole traders, and the uplands in general demonstrate a much more balanced age profile and stable population.

Stuart Burgess, our chair and the Government's Rural Advocate said:

"Overall, there are certainly some striking contrasts in the statistical evidence, and these confirm to me that our inquiry looking at the future for England’s upland communities was both timely and necessary"

"With hill farming incomes falling so sharply, there is the possibility that too many upland farmers will be forced to give up because they can’t make a living. That would not only be a tragedy for them and their families, but also bad news for the local economy and for the rest of us."

State of the Countryside Update: Uplands will inform our inquiry into the future for England's upland communities, along with all the evidence we've gathered from uplands residents, expert sources and other interested parties. The inquiry's final report and recommendations to Government and others will be published in the autumn.

Download 'State of the Countryside Update: Uplands'

Find out more about our inquiry into the future for England's upland communities

Find out more about our State of the Countryside Updates

As well as meeting tenant farmers, he'll attend a meeting with other hill farmers, businesses and local community representatives from across Lancashire. The Duke of Westminster is joining Stuart on the visit:

"The traditional rural land uses of hill farming and shooting have shaped the Bowland landscape. "

"The challenge facing policy makers today is sustaining the rural economy, communities and businesses and determining the role for these tried and tested management systems."

“I hope that the views and opinions aired at the inquiry will form a basis for policy to support and strengthen the future for England's upland communities.”

Read the full press release

Find out more about our inquiry and how you can contribute

Some of those giving evidence to our Inquiry Panel suggested an unrealistic, even nostalgic, view of small upland communities was having an adverse effect on proposals for new development. The example was given of "NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard)" attitudes delaying or even blocking what many consider to be much needed affordable housing in upland communities.

In this 2nd of 6 scheduled hearings being held across every region of England containing uplands, several significant concerns, challenges and potential solutions were raised by over 30 participants contributing evidence to the inquiry.

Read the hearing summary

A summary note of the 1st hearing in Shropshire is already available on our main Uplands Communities page and notes on the hearings in Northumberland, Derbyshire, Devon and Cumbria will follow in the coming days and weeks.

Find out how you can contribute to our inquiry

If you have any queries, please contact the inquiry team at: uplandsinquiry@ruralcommunities.gov.uk

Some of those giving evidence to our Inquiry Panel suggested more funding and responsibilities should be devolved to local town and parish councils, enabling them to have more of a say in their own futures - for example, several parish councils planning what is needed and then collaborating in “clusters” of parishes to address those needs.

In this 1st of 6 scheduled hearings being held across every region of England containing uplands, several significant concerns, challenges and potential solutions were raised by over 30 participants contributing evidence to the inquiry.

Read a summary of the hearing

Find out how you can contribute to our inquiry

Summaries of the hearings in North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Derbyshire, Devon and Cumbria will be added to our main Upland Communities page after each event.

If you have any queries, please contact our inquiry team at: uplandsinquiry@ruralcommunities.gov.uk

Stuart Burgess, our chair and the Government's Rural Advocate, is leading our call for your evidence to help inform our wide-ranging inquiry into the future for England's upland communities.

“We want the call for evidence to bring in views, ideas, and first-hand experiences from local people, businesses, visitors and wider beneficiaries." 

“High hills and moorland occupy a little under a fifth of England, but they and their communities are vital to the health, economic prosperity and quality of life of many millions of people across the country as a whole."

Your contributions will help inform our report to the Government recommending actions to give our upland communities a more promising future. Our inquiry team will also be gathering information and evidence from all corners of England with regional meetings and wider consultation.  

Find out more about our inquiry

Watch our short film introducing the inquiry

Download the Call for Evidence (pdf version)

Download the Call for Evidence (word version)

Read the full press release

You can submit your contribution to the call for evidence by email, post, fax, or by posting your comments in our online discussion. We'll also be a version of the call for evidence for you to complete online shortly.

Our inquiry has been welcomed by the CLA, the leading membership organisation for owners of land, property and  businesses in rural England:

“We welcome the CRC inquiry and call on the upland communities within England to tell their story, explaining the situation they face today and their aspirations for the future."

The Panel will lead our inquiry, providing direction and setting its priorities and focus. They'll review the evidence, appraise its content and invite expert opinion to draw conclusions, and make informed policy recommendations to government.

Our inquiry will begin with a public call for evidence in February, closely followed by a series of evidence gathering seminars and regional hearings, each designed to address key challenges facing the future of England’s upland communities. Dates include:

• 18 & 19 February - West Midlands

• 10 & 11 March - Yorkshire

• 18 & 19 March - North East

• 25 & 26 March - East Midlands

• 23 & 24 April - South West

• 19 & 20 May - North West

We'll be adding information about how you can contribute on the main Uplands Communities page shortly, or you can contact the Inquiry Manager at uplandsinquiry@ruralcommunities.gov.uk

The announcement recognises the need to provide adequate funding for implementing the scheme and to make it more practical and accessible to farmers.

It also addresses some of the concerns heard first hand by Stuart Burgess, our chair and the Government's Rural Advocate, on his visits to hill farmers in Cumbria, Northumberland, North Yorkshire and Devon.

Measures include provision for a new transition period to ease the path from the current Hill Farm Allowance (HFA) to the new scheme by continuing the HFA for a further year, improvements to eligibility criteria, and plans for Natural England to provide an advice service to assist farmers applying to the new scheme.

Stuart is leading our uplands inquiry investigating the challenges and changes affecting upland communities and exploring the opportunities and solutions for the future. We'll be putting out a call for evidence in the spring.

Find out more about our inquiry

We'll collect evidence covering a broad range of interests and a diverse set of perspectives from our upland communities. We particularly want to hear the voices of people often overlooked in public debate.

Our timetable includes a public ‘call for evidence’ scheduled for February 2009, together with a short series of evidence gathering seminars and six regional hearings. Our inquiry will be open to all to contribute, with live reporting as we move forward.

We're compiling a number of key themes to frame the submissions of evidence. Our inquiry will address the issues raised through our evidence gathering and use it to highlight good practice and develop recommendations that lead to practical policies and measures. It will demonstrate how upland communities function and how best to release their potential for the future.

Read the detailed plans to find out more about the inquiry

We'll add updates to the main Upland Communities page as the inquiry progresses

"By their very nature, upland communities face tough conditions. I am continually impressed by the energy, industry and determination of the people living and working there and also by their current and potential contribution to wider environmental and other ambitions."

England’s uplands have special significance for their contribution to rural economies and their key role in landscape conservation, recreational activities, biodiversity, heritage and water management.

Our uplands communities inquiry is:

• identifying and evaluating the key drivers of change in England's upland communities

• developing and promoting realistic policy recommendations that enable and equip these communities to move towards more secure, economically prosperous and sustainable futures

Read the full press release

Read Stuart's speech to the conference

Read the project brief

Email us at uplandsinquiry@ruralcommunities.gov.uk