Whose rural-urban fringe?

Land is one of our greatest assets, providing us with basic services, underpinning the economy and highlighting national identity and cultural heritage. Yet the ‘rural-urban fringe’ – the countryside immediately around our towns and cities – has all-too-often been a neglected and wasted resource. With increasing demands being placed upon land, can we afford to […]

What’s [not] in the Rural Statement

The government pledged to issue a rural statement this spring. It’s been a long time coming, says Jessica Sellick. According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Government will soon publish a Rural Statement. The Statement can be traced back to April 2011, was officially announced in November 2011, originally due […]

Championing the countryside

TWO years ago the Coalition Government set out a number of policy commitments over the next five years to ‘rebuild the economy, unlock social mobility, mend the political system and give people the power to call the shots over the decisions that affect their lives’. With aspirations to turn old thinking on its head and […]

Localism – greater or inequitable choices?

Although the era of Whitehall knows best on everything and has to deliver everything has had its day, is localism meeting the needs and aspirations of rural communities or is it hindered by apathy? Jessica Sellick investigates. The Localism Bill received Royal Assent to become an Act in November 2011 with many of the major […]

Protecting our green and pleasant land?

WILL a dozen new large-scale conservation areas protect England’s rural environment? Or will they create a picture postcard countryside? Jessica Sellick investigates. People enjoy the natural environment in many different ways, from taking healthy exercise and the challenge of a long walk, a horse or cycle ride; to experiencing the landscape in ways that make […]

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Jessica Sellick

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