A wide range of business and economic activities can be located in rural areas and many rural economies are already very diverse.  As no two rural areas are truly alike there can be no ‘one size fits all’ approach to rural economic development.  Pol...
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Planning for sustainable rural economic development

Surf board workshop
A wide range of business and economic activities can be located in rural areas and many rural economies are already very diverse. As no two rural areas are truly alike there can be no ‘one size fits all’ approach to rural economic development. Policies must, instead, be tailored to local circumstances.

 

The planning system should encourage the types of sustainable development that brings lasting economic, social and environmental benefits to particular rural areas, that draw on local character and distinctiveness and benefit local businesses, local communities and the environment.

Developing policies that work locally
Local planning authorities should base their policies and decisions on a sound knowledge and understanding of the economic, social and environmental characteristics and opportunities within their local countryside, together with a clear vision for the future.   Criteria based policies can then set the planning requirements for farm diversification, for example, but seen as part of broader rural diversification.

We have prepared guidance for local planning authorities on a new approach towards planning for sustainable rural economic development.  This guidance and the research report is available on this page to download.