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Bookings are now officially open for the National Rural Conference 2025, which will take place online from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 September.
This is the Rural Services Network’s flagship event of the year, bringing together rural decision-makers, practitioners, and advocates for four days of live, interactive sessions focused on the future of rural communities.
Click here to book!
Countryside Charity (CPRE)
This week the National Housing Federation (NFH) is running its annual campaign which highlights the challenges facing rural areas when it comes to housing. There have been some truly dreadful statistics released as part of this around the hidden homelessness...
The News and Star reports that the Confederation of Passenger Transport has warned that as many as 15 per cent of bus services could be cut across the UK, including Cumbria, if government funding for buses is not extended ...
The BBC reports that a solar farm designed to power up to 10,000 Somerset homes is to be built near protected countryside in Dorset Elgin Energy has got permission to construct the solar farm in North Perrott, near Crewkerne....
The Express reports that analysis by the Campaign to Protect Rural England suggests there are currently more than 400,000 homes with planning permission on greenfield sites Even if planning applications are rejected at local authority level as inappropriate, they...
The Guardian reports that farmers are urging the government to include hedge creation in its nature-friendly farming subsidy scheme in an attempt to increase biodiversity Details about the post-Brexit replacement for the EU’s common agricultural policy have been scarce,...
The Eastern Daily Press reports how new figures reveal the rapid expansion of 'Airbnb-next-the-Sea', as growing numbers of landlords on the Norfolk coast turn to the online portal to rent out their properties Campaigners fear the sharp rise is fuelling a housing crisis...
The BBC have reported on the interim findings of research into Rural Homelessness, commissioned by a rural taskforce. The research is being carried out by University of Kent and the University of Southampton, and was commissioned by a...
The News and Star reports that the Campaign to Protect Rural England has warned new planning reforms, designed to support a 340,000 new homes per year target, could cost the Conservatives at the ballot box Concerns are mounting particularly...
The BBC reports how a Cornish resident has been forced into living in an Airbnb due to soaring private rent prices As a Cornish painter and decorator, Heath Robinson spends a lot of time maintaining holiday homes - but...
The Times reports that one in 42 homes in Britain is worth £1 million or more, with about 80 per cent of new “property millionaires” created in the past year found outside London The research, conducted by the estate...
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HOT TOPICS
Amid reduced public spending, fair resource allocation across regions is crucial. Despite a population larger than Greater London, rural areas receive significantly less funding for essential services, even though delivering these services in rural areas is more expensive.
Economic growth is widely acknowledged as essential for national wealth and prosperity and is a priority for political parties. Rural economies, employing millions and home to a higher proportion of small businesses, have potential for growth if barriers are removed.
Rural residents face distinct healthcare challenges, including limited access to transport, longer distances to medical facilities, an aging demographic, housing inadequacies, digital connectivity gaps, and difficulties recruiting health and care workers.
Rural communities are grappling with a severe affordable housing crisis, marked by high house prices, a lack of affordable housing, elevated living costs, and lower incomes, threatening their sustainability and vitality.
Transport is vital for the quality of life and economic health of rural areas, yet it faces challenges such as infrequent public bus services and less Government funding compared to urban regions.
Rural areas, encompassing a substantial portion of England's population and land, play a pivotal role in combating climate change and achieving the net zero target.
In an increasingly digital world, the lack of robust digital infrastructure in rural areas severely limits access to crucial services and stifles economic growth.
A future-focused vision for rural communities involves not just building the right homes in the right places but also ensuring thriving, sustainable communities.
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