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Latest Rural News
Consultation on Norfolk Broads plan
The public is being asked to give its views on a new set of planning policies for the Norfolk Broads. Longest trail will 'boost rural economy'
The creation of Britain's longest footpath is set to bring big benefits to north-west England. Civil servants debate housing crisis
Rural civil servants are to share information in a bid to provide more affordable homes in the countryside.
A rural cultural strategy
£10,000 for top rural entrepreneur
A £10,000 prize is up for grabs following the launch of a competition to find Britain’s top young rural entrepreneur.
£1.6m for business in rural north-east
More than £1.6 million has been paid out since One NorthEast took on Defra’s rural development programme in north-east England.
More views sought on South Downs
The government has launched a further consultation on the proposed South Downs National Park.
Call to make England a national park
Campaigners have called on the government to safeguard the countryside by turning the whole of England into a national park.
Regional policy lacks clarity - MPs
Rural zone attracts £13m investment
More than £13.3m has been invested in the West Midlands following the establishment of a rural regeneration zone.
Countryside 'vital' to proper education
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Educating youngsters about the environment is critical to preserving heritage as well as protecting the country’s future, schools minister Jim Knight has said.
Villages hit back over service decline
An innovative programme seeks to address the mounting challenges faced by villages in the 21st century.
Funds for rural workspace in Cumbria
Redundant rural buildings are being brought back into commercial use in Cumbria with the help of three recently introduced support measures.
£2m boost for business in Devon
Businesses can now apply for a share of a new £2m fund to develop rural economy and improve productivity in Devon.
Green Belt must stay - campaigners
Government proposals will undermine laws protecting the countryside from overdevelopment, claim critics.
Councils 'could provide more homes'
Local authorities could provide 500,000 affordable homes if they were granted more powers, it is claimed. Rail operator wins rural award
Rail operator Northern Rail has scooped an award for improving train services to rural communities in the north of England. Lib Dems unveil rural manifesto
The Liberal Democrats have launched a vision document outlining the party’s plans to address rural social problems. Rural broadband 'not up to speed'
Households in rural areas are being misled by broadband providers about the speed of their connections. Market towns 'becoming gentrified'
Rural market towns are becoming gentrified due to changes that have inexorably altered their character. Hilary Benn is new Defra secretary
Hilary Benn has been appointed Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. PM Brown says homes are priority
Gordon Brown is to make the provision of affordable housing an "immediate priority" following his move to 10 Downing Street. Brown urged to promote countryside
Gordon Brown being urged to use his position as Prime Minister to promote the countryside as part of England’s national identity. Postal plan threatens village shops
Government plans to close thousands of post offices are likely to lead to the loss of village shops too, suggests a report.
Report: give rural people more power
Region to exploit 'natural economy'
Harnessing the natural beauty of north-west England will boost the regional economy, say experts. Defra ponders rural housing fund
A government study is to examine whether a new fund could improve the provision of affordable rural housing. Tories to launch rural policy review
The Conservative party is set to launch a major review of its rural policies at this summer's Royal Show.
Housing nightmare 'already here'
Predictions that house prices will reach 10 times average salaries by 2026 are already the reality for many rural communities.
Rural advocate wins second term
Stuart Burgess has been reappointed as chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities for three more years. AONB budget cuts begin to bite
Access to the countryside will made more difficult following cuts to funding for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
District council scoops rural award
A district council in Norfolk has won an award from the Academy for Sustainable Communities for its work with rural communities.
Pressure builds over rural housing
The government is being urged to redouble efforts to increase the number of affordable homes in the countryside. Under scrutiny: the rural idyll
Public health practitioners are being urged to consider the problems of stigma and social exclusion sometimes faced by rural residents.
Health week highlights best practice
Innovative ways of improving rural health and wellbeing are set to be highlighted during this year's Rural Health Week. £6m rural business centre for Devon
A £6 million rural business park aims to help overcome a shortage of available work space for new and expanding businesses in Devon. On the edge: isolated communities
Rural communities on the edge of cities often feel marginalised and isolated – not only from the main urban conurbation but also from one another, suggests a study. Campaign seeks to woo rural tourists
NATIONAL tourism agency Visit Britain is to launch a marketing campaign to promote the countryside.
Climate change threatens churches
Solar panels could be installed on village churches after the Church of England launched a campaign to help combat global warming.
Banks urged to share branches
Opportunities for business in Sussex
Scotland's village halls 'in crisis'
POLITICIANS are being urged to tackle a “slow-burning crisis” in Scotland’s village halls. 2,500 more post offices to close
Local authorities will be asked to help draw up closure plans for 2,500 post offices - about one in five of those left in the UK.
Rural areas are top for business
Newest National Trail unveiled
Online petition wins little support
Fewer than 70 people have signed an online petition urging the Prime Minister to recognise that rural areas face special problems.
Closure plan for rural job centres
Fly-tipping is 'abuse of countryside'
An investigation by the Countryside Alliance has uncovered the massive scale of illegal fly-tipping in Britain.
'Biggest ever' countryside survey
Scientists are to undertake an £8m Domesday-style survey of the British landscape and its wildlife. New tax 'will hit rural areas hard'
Small scale diversification projects will be hit hardest by a proposed new tax, claim rural businesses.