CRC http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/ en-us Copyright 2010 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:10:36 UT Latest items from http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:10:36 UT English National Parks and the Broads UK Government Vision and Circular 2010 http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5557 http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5557 We warmly welcome the English National Parks and the Broads UK Government Vision and Circular 2010 to provide updated policy guidance on the English National Parks and the Broads (‘the Parks’). We are particularly pleased the strengthened emphasis being placed on fostering and maintaining vibrant, healthy and productive living and working communities. 

The desirability of the Parks as places to live is one outcome of their successful long-term conservation and promotion. Demand for housing in the Parks has consistently driven up the price of housing and development sites. Combined with relatively low wages in the local economy, a declining stock of council housing and only modest additions of new affordable units over the last 20 years, the consequence is that much of the stock is now beyond the reach of many local households. This can affect the social and economic diversity of rural communities and may, in some circumstances, undermine social support networks and the viability of rural businesses, which are key components of sustainable rural communities.   

Cited as a partner for the first time in the Circular, we look forward to working in partnership with the National Park Authorities, to the benefit of rural communities in these valued landscapes.

Read our reponse to the consultation on the English National Parks and The Broads, Vision for National Parks.

 

]]> Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:56:08 UT English National Parks and The Broads, Vision for National Parks consultation http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5555 http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5555 We have responded to the consultation on the English National Parks and The Broads, Vision for National Parks.

Our response re-states the value of National Parks in offering high quality environments,  much loved and much desired places to live, work and recreate. Our National Parks also have the economic diversity and potential, social and community strength in depth, and the fundamental `green infrastructure` of food, water and energy supplies.  Many rural businesses demonstrate a strong spirit of entrepreneurship, risk taking, innovation hard work and strong community support.  England’s rural communities are leading the way in utilising new technologies and a booming home-working culture is developing.

However, our national parks also face significant challenges, in part arising from these very successes. Rural areas are growing faster in their resident population than their urban counterparts and average population growth as a whole.  Our analysis shows that between 2006 and 2031 demand for new housing as a result of projected household change will grow at a greater rate in rural districts than in urban districts. Urban districts will grow by 27% over that period whilst rural districts will grow by 35%. To accommodate new growth in our National Parks, rural town and village communities should be at the heart of delivering more sustainable places to live and work in. 

Crucially, we agree that the National Parks primary role is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and our cultural heritage. But, we see that growth, if well managed, will foster more viable local services, more affordable and well designed housing, and appropriate economic development. We must encourage and empower strong local leadership to create better opportunities for the people who live and work in our rural communities to find quality work, have access to affordable well designed homes and build successful businesses.

To read our full response click here  

]]> Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:33:56 UT English National Parks and The Broads, Vision for National Parks http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5554 http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5554 We have responded to the consultation on the English National Parks and The Broads, Vision for National Parks.

]]> Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:23:43 UT Rural housing targets: CRC analysis note http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5553 http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5553 In October 2009 we produced a report on the impact of the recession on rural housing. We sent this report to government to inform discussions at the National Economic Council. 

Since then we have been raising these issues in discussions with the Homes and Communities Agency and the Department for Communities and Local Government.  One of the issues raised in the report was the government’s reduction of the rural housing target in settlements below 3,000 population from 10,300 to 8,500 for the years 2008/11.

We have since been in discussions with government and the HCA to examine whether these reductions have been proportional and what the changing rural housing delivery programme means for rural areas.

Our note on our findings can be found here.

Read more about our work on the credit crunch and recession

]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:13:27 UT Rural housing targets: CRC analysis note http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5552 http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5552 The Homes and Communities Agency's 2009/10 Corporate Plan published in late September 2009 included the announcement of the reduction in targets for affordable house provision.

This included a reduction in the Government's target for affordable housing in rural settlements below 3,000 population, which has been revised down 17.5% from 10,300 to 8,500 for the years 2008/09 to 2010/11.

 

]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:02:21 UT State of the countryside update: Children and educational services http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5551 http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5551 State of the countryside update: Children and educational services aims to extend our understanding of the statistical picture of children and young people in rural England.

Many people find it difficult to accept that poverty and disadvantage can exist in sometimes beautiful surroundings. We hope that this update will provide understanding of the circumstance for the children in the countryside, together with challenging some perceptions of rural life for children and young people.

In painting a picture of children and young people living in rural areas we consider a wide range of topics and issues including population and migration, well-being and disadvantage, Children’s Centres and educational provision. The issues covered in the update should also be considered in the wider context of rural deprivation and isolation.

The update follows on from our earlier study Insights from users and providers of Children Centres in rural communities: Summary report]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:36:54 UT Rural Experience visit to Exmoor National Park http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5545 http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5545 Our recent visit to Exmoor National Park was led by the Chief Planner Steve Quatermain. The visit  held on March 4 and 5, was attended by 17 delegates including Ann Skippers, the President of the Royal Town Planning Institute and David Hackforth, the President of the Planning Officers Society.

It explored the issue of planning within the context of the park but also the effect of planning constraints on areas just outside. It highlighted two particular important issues involved with rural planning policy:

  • The planning system can deliver good outcomes even if approvals are a departure from written policy
  • There is a need to understand the linkages between local plans and the Regional Spatial Strategy.

Commenting on the visit Steve Quartermain said “I was delighted to see some really positive outcomes of the planning process, and it is important for developers and planners to remember the planning system is about delivering appropriate development and this can sometimes mean departing from the script. The planning process allows for this and I urge local authorities to use the tools and approaches that are available to ensure that the aspirations of their communities are realised."

Dr Stuart Burgess, our Chairman, added “In the case of delivering good outcomes Cutcombe market in the centre of Exmoor had fallen into disrepair and over £1million was needed to modernise it. The park achieved this by giving the go ahead to a mixed development consisting of 25 homes and some business units as a departure from their policy, a move I applaud. In South Molton delegates were told about the growth targets for the town and nearby Barnstaple and how the different targets in the local plan and the Regional Spatial Strategy could best be reconciled through the planning process. Both are excellent examples of what can be achieved in regenerating rural areas working within the existing planning system”.

Dr Nigel Stone, Chief Executive of Exmoor National Park, said “We were very pleased to host the Rural Experience visit to Exmoor National Park.  I hope that, as well as providing an insight into the particular needs of rural areas such as Exmoor, we were also able to demonstrate the excellent work of our planning team in supporting the development of local businesses and helping meet the need for affordable housing.  National Parks are usually thought of as taking a restrictive approach on new development whereas, in fact, we take as imaginative and flexible approach as we can so that we can sustain successful local communities in these special landscapes".

As a result of the visit all the delegates have committed to an action plan which will be followed up by the CRC within a month. This will help to spread good practice widely within the planning community and to also identify a new generation of 'can do' rural champions able to use the planning system to meet the needs of rural communities.

 

]]> Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:10:04 UT Results of ‘Rural Insights survey 2009’ published today http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5542 http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5542 Today we have published the results of a comprehensive survey which took place during late 2009, on the perceptions and priorities of rural people. The survey provides detailed information on the views of residents across rural England, and comparisons with the views of people who live in urban areas.  The survey was carried out by Ipsos MORI who interviewed over 2,500 people across England and asked about the hopes, concerns, and priorities of people living in rural England.

Download the report

Read the press release

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:12:55 UT Results of ‘Rural Insights survey 2009’ published http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5541 http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5541 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:01:02 UT Rural Insights resident survey 2009 http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5538 http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5538 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:17:00 UT Welcoming government’s drive for superfast broadband http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5534 http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5534 The Government has announced that a new body ‘Broadband Delivery UK’ is to be responsible for rolling-out next generation broadband across the UK. At the same time a major report forecasting the future reach of next generation broadband across the UK has been published by the Government.

Commenting on the report Sarah McAdam our Chief Executive said: “We welcome this important research, which sets out in a clear and straightforward way which communities may be at risk of not benefiting from next generation broadband. Our ‘Mind the Gap’ report identifies the importance of broadband to rural communities. Lack of broadband provision or poor speeds mean that many rural areas risk being left further behind as next generation broadband is introduced, but factors such as social deprivation, demographics and individuals’ reservations about using new technology may also have an influence.

“The research is the first to analyse these effects and their collective impact on digital inclusion. It highlights where attention is needed to ensure that parts of the country are not left behind in access to up-to-date fibre-based communications services. I also hope it will inspire industry and communities themselves to join Government to commit to bridging the access gap for rural areas. Working together can ensure that ‘Digital Britain’ does not become a ‘two-tier’ Britain.”
 

]]> Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:43:30 UT The issue of democratic renewal is also very... http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5524 http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5524 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:24:25 UT Rural Advocate report 2010 launched http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5521 http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5521 Our Chairman and the Government's Rural Advocate, Dr Stuart Burgess, has launched his Rural Advocate Report 2010 to the Government today (Thursday 4 March).


This year’s report focuses on issues affecting children and young people living and working in rural England. Dr Burgess has outlined several issues affecting the sustainability of the countryside, substantiated with robust recommendations. The report also focuses on some examples of inspirational individuals who have overcome some of the challenges facing their communities.


Download the Rural Advocate report 2010

Download State of the Countryside Update: Children and educational services

Read the press release

]]> Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:58:38 UT Threat to rural life as more young quit the countryside http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5520 http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5520 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:47:24 UT CRC118 - Rural Advocate report 2010 http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5519 http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/5519 Over the last two years our chair and the Government's Rural Advocate, Dr Stuart Burgess, has visited rural communities across the country to listen to rural people about what matters most ─ the many benefits of rural living but also some real concerns.

His 'Rural Advocate report 2010' focuses on issues affecting children and young people living and working in rural England, outlining several issues affecting the sustainability of the countryside, substantiated with robust recommendations. The report also focuses on some examples of inspirational individuals who have overcome some of the challenges facing their communities.

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