Responding to Government’s priorities set out in the Queen’s
Speech, CLA President Mark Bridgeman said:
“We welcome government’s recognition of the need to modernise the
planning system – but they must ensure that reforms apply as much
to the countryside as they do urban environments.
“For too long, the countryside has been treated like a museum,
held back by an outdated system that has frustrated economic
growth. Rural poverty will only be eased and opportunity only
created if we allow landowners to invest in their communities. We
regularly hear of farmers wanting to convert farm buildings into
new modern offices, or build more homes for local people, only to
be held back by an antiquated planning system.
“If this system is simplified, twinned with other measures such
as fulfilling their pledge to spend £5bn on the roll-out of
gigabit capable broadband, then the vast potential of the rural
economy might finally be unleashed.”
On environmental standards, Mr Bridgeman added:
“Farming businesses want to deliver positive environmental
benefits to the land they manage, helping to reverse biodiversity
decline and mitigate climate change as well as feed the nation.
Much of this is reliant on a well-structured Environmental Land
Management (ELM) scheme, but more clarity is needed to allow
these businesses to plan ahead. Otherwise, changes in legislation
could have damaging consequences for the sector.”
