Is this the future we want?

Land Management Scenarios in the South West

This study, undertaken for the Countryside Agency South West region at the end of the Foot and Mouth Disease epidemic, identified a range of future scenarios for land-based enterprises within the region. Its purpose was to give a clear indication of a sustainable future for rural areas in order to stimulate thought and debate.

The study took four very different areas: Cornwall; North Devon (the Culm); Cranborne Chase; and the Forest of Dean and for each set out the current evidence on the environmental and economic character of the area; defined a vision and strategy for the future of each area; and based on these, went on to describe a fictional response to the strategy in each area, clearly based on likely policy developments over the following five years, and how individual rural businesses could respond over the following ten years.

Issues addressed

Each strategy clearly reflected both emerging national policy and local circumstances, with issues addressed including:

• Environmental protection and enhancement
• Using modern technologies to identify conservation opportunities
• Diversifying farm produce
• Aiming for quality production
• Linking to local market demand
• Adding value locally
• Promoting green and eco-tourism
• Promoting other rural micro-businesses
• Woodland as part of the farm economy
• Biomass production and wood heat
• Encouraging long-term investment
• Promotion of local re-investment trusts
• Developing local service