New rules relaxation wanted to boost rural business

New planning concessions should be granted to help rural businesses prosper, according to an influential group of landowners.
Local wildlife should be protected.Local wildlife should be protected.
Local wildlife should be protected.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) wants the Government to consider extending its ‘permitted development rights’ policy to new areas.

An extension of the scheme - which excludes the need for planning permission for certain types of developments - should make it easier for redundant agricultural buildings to be converted into farm shops; for polytunnels to be erected for growing more produce; and for anaerobic digestion plants to be installed, the CLA said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Such relaxed rules should also be enforced to encourage the number of on-farm reservoirs to increase, to assist water management and irrigation.

Permitted development rights currently apply to conversions of certain agricultural buildings for residential, educational and some commercial uses.

Dorothy Fairburn, the CLA’s regional director, said: “We have seen significant success in helping farmers and other landowners to invest in their business as a result of permitted development rights. A prime example is the conversion of redundant agricultural buildings to much-needed rural homes.

“The best thing the Government can do to deliver growth in the countryside is put in place a number of additional permitted development rights.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The call comes as part of the CLA’s response to a government consultation on the rural planning process. The lobby group has long called for the planning system to be revised to make it easier for rural businesses to invest in new buildings and infrastructure.

It also wants action to address the numerous local authorities that still do not have an up-to-date ‘Local Plan’ or plans that adequately address the need for rural economic development.

Miss Fairburn said: “There remains a significant barrier to economic development in the countryside. Changes made under the National Planning Policy Framework have been positive, but still there is too much local resistance to change.”

Related topics: