Let us solve rural housing crisis, say landowners


Landowners have urged the gov- ernment to let them help solve the housing crisis – arguing that the planning system must be re- formed to stop holding the coun- try back. “For years politicians have complained about the housing cri- sis while ignoring the fact that the answer is right under their nos- es,” said Country Land and Busi- ness Association president Mark Bridgeman. “If just ten homes were built in every village the housing cri- sis in rural communities would be eased considerably. Landown- ers are wanting to help but are being put off by endless bureau- cracy, spiraling costs and a lack


of planning officers.” Landowners wanted to build


homes to keep their communi- ties strong and provide quality housing for local people, said Mr Bridgeman.


Quality housing


“They spend tens of thousands of pounds on planning applications, but extensive delays and constant knock backs from planning offic- ers means they give up, much to the detriment of the local and na- tional economy.” The government’s target is to build 300,000 new homes eve- ry year. But the CLA says fewer than 200,000 homes were built between 2017 and 2018. The need


for more housing will only grow with an expected 2m rise in the UK population 2030, said Mr Bridgeman.


“Rather than representing a barrier to growth, the planning system should enable and en- hance the delivery of develop- ments in rural communities. The government must decide what it wants the planning system to de- liver and then provide adequate resources to achieve those aims. Mr Bridgeman added: “A sim- pler and better-resourced plan- ning system would restore confi- dence in decisions and encourage more applications to come for- ward, unlocking the potential of the rural economy.”


Key note speaker: NFU vice president Stuart Roberts


Future is now for farm conference


Support for Rural Powerhouse campaign


More than 100 would-be MPs backed a Rural Pow- erhouse campaign initiated by the Country Land and Business Association ahead of last month’s general election.


The CLA wrote to candidates across England


and Wales asking them to help “unleash the po- tential of the rural economy” by backing a series of measures designed to improve productivity. CLA president Mark Bridgeman said the cam-


paign would now turn its attention to promot- ing better rural policies in parliament. Research showed that he rural economy could grow by as much as £43bn by focusing on improving pro- ductivity, he said. “It is clear we will have a significant caucus of MPs backing the Rural Powerhouse in Parlia-


ment, whatever the overall result. It should give us some confidence not just that MPs want to sup- port rural communities but that they have tre- mendous ambition for the rural economy.” The Rural Powerhouse campaign calls for bet- ter rural broadband, A planning system designed for rural communities, profitable and sustaina- ble farming, investment in skills and innovation, and a simpler tax regime. Mr Bridgeman added: “One way or another, there will continue to be a degree of uncertainty through 2020. But we are determined to ensure we are promoting positive ideas that will allow us to unleash the potential of the rural econo- my for the betterment of communities across the country.”


Tickets are now on sale for next month’s Lincolnshire Farming Conference – to be held on Tues- day, 11 February, at the Lin- colnshire Showground. Following a year that has seen a number of challenges, the theme of the conference will be ‘the fu- ture is now’. The event will see key experts running workshops and discussing how the industry can adapt to the modern world and its demands. Conference committee chair- man Simon Day said: “Lin- colnshire is one of the biggest agricultural counties, so it is fan- tastic that we are able to bring to- gether these industry experts on our home soil to discuss how we can look forward to the brightest future possible for the industry.” The keynote speech – farm- ing beyond Brexit – will be giv- en by NFU vice president Stuart Roberts, A third generation ar- able and livestock farmer from Hertfordshire, he has also previ- ously worked for Defra, as well as holding senior management roles within the meat supply chain. The conference is open from 11am to 5pm, with refreshments being available alongside net- working opportunities. Two work- shop sessions will be held in the morning, with industry experts holding talks throughout the af- ternoon. Tickets cost £15 for adults, £6 for students, with members of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society free to attend once registered, in- cluding lunch. To book a place, visit www.lin- colnshireshowground.co.uk.


JANUARY 2020 • MIDLAND FARMER 45


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