THE latest State of the Countryside report paints a mixed picture of England's landscape and rural environment.

• State of the Countryside 2008 report
• Call for action to support rural England

Rural towns, villages and hamlets account for about a quarter of the total built-up area, or less than 2% of the land area, reveals the annual report, which was unveiled on Wednesday (16 July).

Demand for new development is significantly higher (per household) in rural areas than urban areas and the countryside has seen a greater number of new houses than in the urban fringe in recent years.

Outdoor recreation is a popular pastime

Last year saw significant changes in agricultural commodity prices and in elements of agricultural policy which are likely to have a visible impact on the way England is farmed.

Over half of agricultural land now receives payments to provide environmental benefits (the majority of this under the Environmental Stewardship scheme).

Outdoor recreation is a popular form of leisure, with around a third of adults in a recent survey taking a walk in the countryside at least once a year.

Participation in outdoor recreation is lowest in the lower social classes, amongst single people without children and those aged over 65.

The character of large parts of England’s countryside is changing as a result of built development particularly in the lowlands and areas beside major transport corridors.

Comparison of the levels of visual and noise intrusion since the 1960s shows that rural areas have become much busier with a three-fold increase in the ‘disturbed’ areas in the most rural districts.

River water quality is generally improving, but concerns remain about the diffuse pollution, particularly from nitrates, arising from agriculture. 

The growing season for crops has increased by around one month in the last century and swallows arrive ten days earlier than they did fifty years ago.

Many species of wildlife are extending their range northwards and some, such as the skylark and song thrush, will become rare in parts of the country as a result.

Rural areas have a significantly higher carbon production rate per person than urban areas.

This is principally due to the generally higher income and per capita consumption and because of the higher emissions from heating of homes and car use in rural areas.

The English countryside is capable of providing significant quantities of energy from renewable sources including wind and biomass, says the document.

But the report warns of a growing public debate about the wisdom of diverting land from food to energy production.

Bioenergy - heat and electricity from biological sources - currently generates less than 1% of the UK’s energy and most of this comes from natural gas tapped from landfill waste sites.

              See also:
                  • Natural England in £45m landscape boost (9 June 2008)
                  • Radical change 'vital' for countryside (19 May 2008)
                  • Warning over state of the countryside (10 April 2008)
                  • Landscape can 'help reduce flood risk' (31 January 2008)
                  • Warning over neglected heathland (24 January 2008)
                  • Peat project combats climage change (11 December 2007)
                  • New maps reveal green countryside (22 November 2007)
                  • Call to safeguard English landscapes (20 November 2007)
                  • Reform land agency, say campaigners (29 October 2007)
                  • Watchdog to probe summer of misery (19 September 2007)

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