Dorothy Fairburn: We need rural businesses that are profitable and thriving

Environmental and social stability flows from economic stability and the next government must focus on reducing the barriers to rural business development to allow rural Britain to realise its full potential. Here in Yorkshire we also have specific needs related to national issues which we hope a Cameron-led government will prioritise:

n Broadband equality for rural areas. A disturbingly high number of broadband "notspots" are still evident across the Yorkshire and Humber region, showing there is still a long way to go before parity is achieved between rural and urban businesses and communities. The Tories have vowed to abandon the controversial 50p-a-month broadband tax proposal, announced by the Chancellor in his pre-Budget report, and we would like your reassurance that our suggested strategies are acted upon to eliminate the digital divide that blights rural areas. We need an increased broadband speed for all from two megabits to five megabits per second by 2012.

We would also ask you to promote a "piggy-backing" model to allow rural businesses and communities to benefit from under-utilised public sector broadband. Most importantly, we would advocate a 10-year project to provide a fibre-optic network for everyone – including all rural areas.

n Food and farming. The CLA is proposing a twin-track policy for Food and Environmental Security as the next phase in the evolution of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). This would mean continuing to adapt policy giving greater emphasis to market orientation for food and other products, and public payments for the non-market environmental and cultural landscape services.

Will you negotiate better principles of financing the CAP which will resolve the UK's low share of core rural development funds? We also advocate that you prioritise securing a European Budget for the next financial perspective commensurate with the challenges it faces.

n Renewable energy. The need to find alternative forms of energy to replace fossil fuels is undisputed. Not only to reduce the impact of climate change but also to create opportunities for investment in the countryside. A number of CLA members have taken the bold step to diversify from farming into anaerobic digestion but would find life easier with more Government support. How will you promote the use of anaerobic digestion over incineration or composting in waste policy? And will you introduce the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive and Feed-In Tariff for electricity, provided in the Energy Act 2008, in a user-friendly form as soon as possible?

n Affordable rural housing. Landowners play a huge role in providing affordable rural housing – a role not recognised by Government. Increasing employment in Yorkshire's rural areas is creating even more demand for the right housing at the right price but the planning system is not allowing its delivery.

Will you introduce tax incentives for private landowners who provide land for, or build, affordable rural houses?

n Business rates. Rural businesses pay rates on the same basis as urban businesses even though in many cases they receive poorer services.

Moreover, the burden of business rates is disproportionate on smaller businesses and discourages investment in renewables.

Will you reverse the abolition of partial exemption available in respect of empty property? Will you introduce new reliefs for small-scale renewables (eg under five megawatts)?

n Coastal access. We have never supported the coastal access provisions of the Marine and Coastal Access Act, despite our winning a national right of appeal for property owners affected by new routes. Here in Yorkshire access is already available along most of the coastline that people want to walk. And while we accept that access to the coast can bring benefits to the public and some coastal rural businesses, these benefits do not always go to those property owners providing that

access.

Will you commit to the principle that any coastal access causes as little or no disruption to coastal environment, business, sport or the privacy of property owners?

We would also ask you to make planning authorities aware of the flexible nature of the proposed new access so the planning guidance reflects this to ensure that designation of coastal margin does not serve to stifle business development.

n Tourism. Rural tourism plays a vital role in the region's economy and the public benefits through being able to enjoy the unique and diverse character of the Yorkshire countryside. However, rural tourism

businesses are sometimes hampered by stifling planning regulations which discourage investment and destroy entrepreneurial spirit.

Will you revise the planning system to allow rural tourism providers to diversify into new market areas to meet demand?

Will you also pledge not to change the income tax and Capital Gains Tax rules for providers of tourist accommodation in furnished holiday lettings? It is in the interest of CLA members, and in the interest of the nation too, that rural businesses are profitable and thriving. For this to happen, appropriate policies are needed at local, regional and national level.

Over to you Mr Cameron.

Dorothy Fairburn is regional director of the Country Land and Business Association.