The government has released the first results from new research which shows in detail the changing nature of England's rural economy and society.

The report - Social and Economic Change and Diversity in Rural England - is published alongside a review of the rural white paper. The review assesses progress and looks for ways to accelerate the delivery of the government's rural objectives.

"Alongside the review of the rural white paper, which I am also publishing, and the rural delivery review conducted by Lord Haskins, this research marks an important step on the road towards the refreshed rural strategy, which secretary of state Margaret Beckett will publish this spring.

"For the first time, we are building an evidence base which will help us understand the fast-changing nature of rural England. In tackling social exclusion, promoting productivity and working to bring about sustainable development in rural areas, a science-based approach will help bring about better and more effective policy-making.

"We are determined that policy will continue to respond to the rapid pace of rural change highlighted by the Birkbeck work and I look forward to working with our stakeholders and partners as we move towards our refreshed rural strategy, which will set out how we will meet the challenges of the next 3-5 years."

Forum Response: Countryside Agency

Sir Ewen Cameron, chairman of the Countryside Agency, said: "Getting government to 'think rural' has been a major achievement of the rural white paper in 2000.

"New government policy could exclude a quarter of England's population if it did not take into account the rural dimension, and government departments across the board are now 'rural proofing' their policies.

"We are not asking for special treatment, simply fair play for rural communities. This review shows that a good start has been made. However, now is not the time to sit back and congratulate ourselves. What we need is a 'refreshed' rural white paper underpinned by action and appropriate funding and we are looking forward to seeing the promised rural strategy to take forward the good work.

"The priorities for rural areas continue to be the need to provide reasonable access to services and homes for rural communities; protection of the natural heritage and countryside as an asset; and sustainable economic development, which recognises the important part the countryside plays in the national economy.

"The 2000 rural white paper was a very valuable document, but inevitably things have changed and many policy agendas have moved on since it waswritten. As the government's adviser on countryside issues, we look forward to seeing a rural strategy that builds on the rural white paper. Many will be looking to it to demonstrate a continuing strong government policy focus on tackling the needs of rural communities and the countryside."

Forum Response: Country Land and Business Association

Mark Hudson, president of the CLA, said: "Far greater growth in affordable housing through a more effective planning system is needed, or the rural economy will grind to a halt.

"The critical link between a more effective planning system and the availability of affordable housing has been made before, and will be made again in the CLA's rural housing report to be published next month.

"While today's government review recognises the continued shortage of affordable rural housing, proposals to change the policies set out in PPG3 planning guidelines are likely to make matters worse.

"The government's intention to abolish 'exception sites' is particularly short-sighted, and will mean the loss of the only planning mechanism that delivers affordable housing developments in the right place and on the right scale. Exception sites allow developers to build affordable housing where they would otherwise not be permitted, on lower value agricultural land that makes the development economically viable.

"In terms of rural employment, the proposed guidelines in PPS7 on planning in the countryside marks a welcome shift in favour of rural businesses, but they urgently need to come into force.

"However, the document's undefined references to 'sustainable development' could end up stifling development in the countryside, for example if environmental protection policies outlined elsewhere in the document are given greater weight by local planning authorities.

"In order to achieve a living working countryside, with housing, services and employment, the government needs to be clear about the importance of rural jobs, rural businesses and rural housing - including how these are achieved in practice."

Forum Response: Woodland Trust

Dr James Cooper, spokesman for the Woodland Trust, told ePolitix.com: "We welcome the focus which the review places upon investing in the public benefits arising from woodland.

"We also welcome the specific recognition of ancient woodland's importance. Given its irreplaceability it is crucial to ensure that this habitat is not only 'managed and used sustainably' as stated in the report, but also properly protected, buffered and extended in order to cope with threats such as climate change.

"We hope that both the importance of woods to society and of landscape scale action to help our natural heritage adapt to climate change will figure prominently in the refreshed rural policy to be published in the Spring".

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

Simon Hart, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said "There is no point in refreshing a rural strategy which is not based on sound evidence. Rural areas need and deserve policies which produce results not endless jargon and promises.

"DEFRA's review of the Rural White Paper claimed that its main success was a 'vision of sustainable development for rural areas' but admitted that its vision has not become a reality.

"We welcome the fact that DEFRA has been honestenough to admit its shortcomings. It must now work with rural organisationsto help improve rural life rather than just talking about it."