Report is a shot in the arm for hard-pressed rural businesses, says CLA

The CLA’s belief that rural businesses are being held back by a poor planning system has been supported by today’s Government response to MP Matthew Taylor’s report on rural planning.

Mr Taylor’s report, A Living and Working Countryside, sets out the importance of the rural economy as part of the overall national economy, and stresses that the countryside is very much open for business.

CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: "Here is a Government report that not only positively promotes the abilities of rural businesses to modernise, expand and remain profitable but also promotes the needs of rural communities for affordable rural housing.

"Thank goodness Matthew Taylor MP has shown them the way forward! A Living and Working Countryside marks a huge step forward in unblocking this country’s out-of-date planning system."

The CLA President said that many small rural businesses have enough business to expand but are frequently knocked back by the current planning system.

He said: "The planning system seems to work on the belief that generally you should not be able to expand on your rural premises but should relocate to a larger site in a nearby town instead.

"We have a member who perfectly demonstrates this. Graham Bowsher runs a successful equestrian shop in a rural area but has been told by local planning authorities that he, and his six employees, would have to move to a nearby town if he wishes to expand.

"As Mr Taylor rightly points out, people should not have to do this. It is their choice to live and work in a rural area, and this is something the Government should be encouraging, especially at this challenging economic time.

"This important report really understands the problems faced by rural businesses and rural communities.

"Mr Taylor’s recommendations are forward looking and promote the need for everybody to take a balanced approach to sustainable development.

"After all, the concept of sustainable development underpins the entire planning system, and the Government response goes a long way towards re-energising rural areas and all who live and work in them."