Press Release

06/06/08

The call by the Rural Advocate, Stuart Burgess, for a national Summit to chart a way forward for rural economies should be taken up by the Prime Minister. This is the view of the Campaign to Protect Rural England [1] in response to the report to the Prime Minister on the economic potential of rural areas published today [2].

‘Rural England contributes very substantially to the well-being and prosperity of the whole country. It is essential to have wise policies in place to enhance that contribution, while protecting local communities and the environment’ said Tom Oliver, Head of Rural Policy at CPRE.

CPRE warmly welcomes acknowledgement in the report that the nation is highly dependent on rural areas to provide landscapes, cultural and spiritual refreshment, as well as its economic role [3].

‘Further expansion of rural economies will need to be reconciled with the environmental effects of new development, an issue that the report does not adequately address.  It is crucial that the very qualities which make the countryside valuable to society are not squandered in a race to pursue economic activity alone’, Tom Oliver continued.

In particular, CPRE recognises the urgent need to secure rural affordable housing [4] and at the same time protect the magnificent beauty of our rural landscapes for everyone to enjoy in the future.

‘To secure our cherished countryside while addressing rural disadvantage and the opportunities for rural innovation and business success is a big challenge. We are looking forward to working with the Rural Advocate and others to achieve this’ Tom Oliver concluded.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen.

2. Stuart Burgess, the Rural Advocate, has submitted his report ‘England’s rural areas: steps to release their economic potential’ which was commissioned by the Prime Minister in the wake of the floods and animal disease outbreaks of 2007.

See: http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/files/crc67_englands_rural_areas1.pdf

3.  The report states on page 18, paragraph 3.2: ‘Much of the essentials of life are produced in, or distributed through, rural England – food, water, energy, building materials and natural environment. The nation is also highly dependent on rural areas to provide transport and communication infrastructures, housing, water and flood management, landscapes, cultural and spiritual refreshment’.

4. CPRE has issued an Affordable Rural Housing Charter with the National Housing Federation, calling for effective affordable rural housing provision and suggesting seven steps to increase the supply of affordable homes in the countryside.

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