Author: <span>Philip Cornish</span>
09 Sep 2012
New minister pledges fairer rural deal
JUNIOR Defra minister David Heath has pledged to work for a fairer deal for Britain’s rural communities. The Liberal Democrat MP for the Somerset constituency of Somerton and Frome is...
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07 Sep 2012
Planning package ‘must go further’
A MAJOR housing and planning package does not go far enough, say rural business leaders. The government package aims to deliver up to 70,000 new homes – including affordable housing...
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05 Sep 2012
Boost rural economy, Defra urged
THE new ministerial team at Defra has been urged to revitalise Britain’s ailing rural economy. Newly appointed Defra secretary Owen Paterson should push through Defra’s agenda for revitalising the rural...
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05 Sep 2012
£300k grants for rural businesses
A £300,000 funding pot has been launched to help rural businesses branch out in Leicestershire. Funded by Leicestershire County Council, the grants are aimed at small companies who work in...
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05 Sep 2012
Village SOS – deadline looms
APPLICATIONS for funding from the Village SOS scheme are due to close at 2.30pm on 12 September. Operated by the Big Lottery Fund, Village SOS is looking to award grants...
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04 Sep 2012
Cash boost for neighbourhood planning
THE government has unveiled funding to help communities bring jobs and homes to their neighbourhood using improved planning powers. Neighbourhood planning gives people a major say in shaping development in...
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03 Sep 2012
High hopes for 4G rural broadband
RURAL businesses and communities are expected to be among the main beneficiaries of faster next-generation mobile broadband. Everything Everywhere – the company behind Orange and T-Mobile – has been given...
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03 Sep 2012
MPs urged to improve ‘rural proofing’
STRONGER links between government departments are needed to ensure policies don’t discriminate against rural communities, MPs have been told. The Rural Services Network made the recommendation in evidence submitted to...
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30 Aug 2012
Rural policy under the spotlight
ACADEMICS will gather this month for a major conference to debate the future of rural policy. The 2012 Rural Policy Conference will be held on Thursday, 27 September, at Kingsholm...
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28 Aug 2012
Farming: much-loved but misunderstood
FARMING is much loved but few people realise its contribution to the rural economy, say university researchers. People have widespread affection for agriculture, even though there is a surprising level...
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