Whilst looking at the urban fringe generally this study, by Catherine Bickmore Associates, focuses on the current state and potential of agriculture in the inner urban fringe - an area with its own special characteristics.

The State and Potential of Agriculture in the Urban Fringe - Final Report

This is the final report of a study carried out for us by Catherine Bickmore Associates.


Natural England is working on an evidence backed vision and actions for the rural-urban fringe, this and other studies are informing that vision and actions. Whilst looking at the urban fringe generally this study focuses on the current state and potential of agriculture in the inner urban fringe - an area with its own special characteristics.

The near urban/urban edge/inner fringe is focused upon  areas such as "outer fringe" and "accessible rural", which appear to cover very extensive areas of countryside are regarded as being profoundly different. The inner fringe is the interface between urban and rural land uses and interests. It poses a number of physical, social and economic problems not found in such a concentrated form elsewhere in the countryside.

These problems are usually exhibited as conflicts between competing land uses and environmental interests. Both conventional and non-conventional agriculture was looked at, to reflect the increasing area of land in the urban fringe where agricultural or quasi-agricultural management practices exist but also support land uses relating to recreation or conservation.

The research took the form of a literature review supplemented by information from a consultation exercise and telephone interviews. As suspected, other than anecdotal or fragmentary references, there is a paucity of recent data or studies. However, the emerging picture with recurrent themes appears to be indicative of the situation. 

The condition and trends of the conventional agricultural sector are governed by national and European policy imperatives, very few of which are specific to urban fringe circumstances. At a national level significant challenges are facing the agricultural industry, particularly on account of low economic returns. To some extent the wider problems associated with the industry are exaggerated in urban fringe locations; small sized holdings struggle to survive with additional penalties relating to recruitment of a skilled workforce and anti-social behaviour of certain individuals, for example, fly tipping and trespass.

To download these reports as pdfs, please click on the right hand links.