Rural services and development

This report outlines a positive agenda for the regeneration of rural areas in the aftermath of Foot and Mouth Disease. It argues that the impact of Foot and Mouth Disease and the measures to control it have shown the true value of a beautiful and diverse countryside, not just to tourism, but to other rural businesses and to the nation as a whole. This means that the rural regeneration strategies should enhance, and not diminish, the quality of the countryside by thinking carefully about the kind of development that the countryside needs and maximising the opportunities offered by a high quality rural environment.

A beautiful countryside is a priceless resource, which delivers prosperity and well being for people in both town and country and the nation as a whole. Unfortunately past policies have often hindered rather than helped rural areas realise their true potential. This report examines why. It identifies an emerging consensus for a new and more discerning approach to rural development and outlines how this can be used to help shape a modern countryside for the benefit of all.

Local services underpin living villages. The future vitality of rural communities is dependent on them. Yet rural services are in decline. CPRE’s Rural Services Charter is a statement of what CPRE believes rural communities should be able to count on.

Our policy on rural services.

This report summarises the new ideas and conclusions of a workshop on how we might better address the challenge of rural service provision. The workshop and report were organised jointly with the Countryside Agency.