Changes to planning rules must ensure that the rural economy can be allowed to prosper alongside a healthy natural environment, the NFU said today after an influential group of MPs launched its review of the National Policy Planning Framework.
The Communities and Local Government Select Committee has said that legislators must make a number of changes to improve the NPPF. It has also come up with its own definition of sustainability – one in which it says economic, environmental and social success should be treated equally. But goes on to stress that planning protects and enhances the environment.
The NFU believes this is self-contradictory and may pose potential problems to agricultural planning applications in the future which would reduce the industry’s efforts to increase capacity for food production.
NFU planning adviser Ivan Moss said: “Rural areas will require development to secure our long term food supplies as part of a prosperous rural economy. This can be achieved alongside a healthy natural environment. What is needed is a common sense approach.
“We were pleased with the draft consultation, and called for a number of specific improvements, and are fully supportive of the drive to promote sustainable development, which will be hugely important for farmers who need modern buildings in order to increase capacity for food production.
“The NPPF recognises importance of food production, but lacks necessary urgency to support increasing productivity.”
- The full report from the committee can be read here.
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- Jeremy Chamberlayne - 21/12/2011
Is this an opportunity to promote a policy I have been trying to push up the agenda for years - Rural Brown Field Sites? Redundant C20th farm buildings and complexes should be redeveloped for other uses. Many stand as an eyesore in the landscape and the sites, which already have services connected, could also benefit from farm sourced renewable energy for heating and power.
- John Lampitt - 21/12/2011
There needs to be a distinction between development in the countryside which is relevant to the rural economy and that which simply permits housing or commercial development to spread into the countryside.