Are we to be 'engine of growth'?

Following yesterday's news of another housing estate application for planning consent and possible fracking in the Audlem area, it seems as if the Government is also highlighting rural issues with what seems a flight from cities to the countryside.

An article yesterday by Chancellor George Osborne and Minister Liz Truss suggests the countryside will be the 'engine of growth'. It said: "More and more of us are moving from city to countryside. According to the latest Government figures, predominantly rural areas in England are experiencing net internal inward migration of more than 60,000 a year.

"It's a social trend that makes Britain almost unique among developed economies, which see mostly rural to urban migration. This Government is determined to support the millions that already choose a rural life and those that are joining them.

"That's what our rural productivity plan is all about. For rural areas, we want better internet and mobile phone communications, better transport, better schools, better skills, better housing, better business growth and better local government.

"The flight from city to country is driven by all sorts of factors: a desire for more space for children to grow and play or an "escape to the country" in retirement, for example. But there is another reason people are basing themselves in our beautiful regions and enjoying the high quality of life they offer – one that we believe is critical. Improvements in information technology mean a broader than ever choice of career for those living there. Simply, our rural areas are becoming ever more economically diverse and dynamic.

"There are now more than half a million businesses registered in England's rural areas, representing over 23 per cent of the total. So the economic importance of the rural economy – worth £210 billion a year – cannot be overstated.

Later in the article, it turns attention to planning, saying: "And we'll look at planning and regulatory constraints facing rural businesses. In a recent survey of rural businesses the main barrier to growth that most identified was planning restrictions.

"So for a start, we'll review rules around agricultural buildings such as barns to allow rural businesses to expand more easily.

"For the first time we'll encourage rural areas to apply to become enterprise zones, and will work on how best to get superfast broadband to those that are successful. To expand the skilled workforce in the countryside, we are committing to triple the number of food and farming apprenticeships.

"And if we are going to attract and maintain a dynamic workforce, we need to make it easier for people to stay in their rural communities and for newcomers to settle there too. We'll always want to protect our green belt and beautiful natural environments, but the lack of housing in rural areas is a scandal.

"Those living in villages want to see them thrive, want to maintain enough housing for their children to live in and want the local shop, school and village services to flourish. So we will reform planning laws, making it easier for villages to establish their own neighbourhood plan and allocate land for a small number of new homes."

AudlemOnline adds: These are excerpts from the lengthy article. The whole Daily Telegraph article can be seen here.

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