The Rural Planning Review: Call For Evidence’ , published by the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, could help drive forward one of the NFU’s top ten Manifesto asks to simplify planning rules for farmers and growers.
The 10 week consultation will try to find out how the town planning system should change to benefit farming and rural businesses. A briefing for NFU members is attached.
Suzanne Clear, NFU senior advisor for planning and rural affairs said: “The planning system has often delayed farmers’ and growers’ ability to develop their farm businesses, diversify and get more homes on farm.
“Any planning issues can be raised so this review is a timely opportunity to feedback on how the system can work better. In particular the consultation asks about using permitted development rights for a farm shop, polytunnels and on-farm reservoirs. It also provides the chance to feedback on the planning rules for converting farm building to agricultural use.”
The deadline for submissions to this call for evidence is 21 April 2016.
The NFU Manifesto called for ‘Planning Rules that enable farmers and farm enterprises to compete and grow with expanding potential markets and conform to regulatory requirements’. More information can be found here.