Rural Economies and Farm Diversification

Understanding contemporary rural economies is an essential element in Integrated Rural Development.

The focus of LUC’s work in this area has been on identifying those elements of the rural economy that can contribute most to a sustainable future for rural areas, with a strong emphasis on ‘locality’. In much of our work we have sought to identify the distinctive yet often quite subtle differences in sustainability needs between areas of accessible countryside and more remote rural areas. This especially recognises that rural economies are often already highly diverse (and very similar to urban economies), although there remains a need to diversify the land-based economy.

Recent work has included

A Social and Economic Profile of the Lake District National Park: Provided as evidence for the Examination in Public of the Cumbria and Lake District Joint Structure Plan 2001 - 2016
Lake District National Park Authority, 2004

Lake District Economic Futures Study on the future of all sectors of the Lake District’s economy over a 20 year horizon
Northwest Development Agency, 2004
Sub-consultants to Regeneris Consulting

Compilation and Analysis of Social and Economic Profiles for the nine nationally protected landscapes within the South East Region
Countryside Agency, 2004
Sub-consultants to Terra Consult

The Construction Sector in Rural England
Countryside Agency, 2003
With the New Economics Foundation

Research to inform the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South East: Planning for Sustainable Rural Economic Development
South East Regional Assembly and the Government Office for the South East, 2002/03

Planning for Sustainable Rural Diversification: A position statement setting out a new approach to planning for rural economic development
Countryside Agency, 2003

The Implications of Farm Diversification on Quiet Lanes
Countryside Agency, 2002

Farm Diversification and Traffic Generation
Countryside Agency, 2002
With the University of the West of England

The Land-based Economy of Kent
Kent County Council and SEEDA, 2002
In association with Kernon Countryside Consultants

Planning and the Rural Economy, exploring the economic function and future of market towns and other rural settlements in Wales, from near urban to remote rural areas, and the role that planning can take in supporting a sustainable rural economy
Welsh Assembly Government, 2001/02
With the University of the West of England

Farm Diversification and the Planning System. A national review of farm diversification and planning in Wales
Welsh Assembly Government, 2001/02
With the University of the West of England and the Welsh Institute of Rural Studies

The Implementation of National Planning Policy Guidance (PPG7) in Relation to the Diversification of Farm Businesses. A national review of farm diversification and planning in England
DTLR, 2000/01
With the University of the West of England and the Royal Agricultural College
This report has been widely supported and its recommendations are fully endorsed in the report on the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food

Sustainable Farm Diversification and Planning within the NALMI - A review of planning and farm diversification within Breckland District Council
Countryside Agency, 2000/01

Economic Valuation of the National Trust’s Stewardship of Land in Cumbria
National Trust, 2000
Sub-consultants to SQW