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Commissioned by a wide range of organisations, this report is part of a project seeking to address the need for a more sophisticated approach to addressing the ‘sustainability’ of rural settlements.

It sets out the findings from Stage One of the project and contains an analysis of policy and practice relating to the application of sustainable development principles to rural communities. The report is based on an extensive literature review and has been used to inform thinking around the form, style and guiding principles of the ‘Toolkit’.

The report also contains a wider analysis of toolkits and the measurement of social capital.

The project is now into the design phase. A draft toolkit and user guidance is due to be released for consultation in early July 2008.

It's anticipated that the final version will be available in September 2008.

If you'd like to know more about this project email alison.rood@ruralcommunities.gov.uk