Future of Rural Areas
The RSN is challenging often overlooked rural threats such as chronic underfunding, changes in population and diminishing resources.
20 Apr 2018
Deadline nears for countryside bursary
Applications to win the use of a Land Rover Discovery Commercial or Discovery Sport from The Prince’s Countryside Fund close on 30 April. Now in its fifth year, the Fund’s...
Read more
20 Apr 2018
Planning rules hamper rural development
Rural businesses still face barriers to housing and economic development in the countryside, say landowners. Despite government attempts to make the planning system more streamlined and efficient, the Country Land and Business...
Read more
18 Apr 2018
Pressure mounts over rural potholes
The government is facing renewed calls to help fix thousands of potholes following harsh weather which has taken its toll on rural routes. Motorists are being urged to take extra...
Read more
09 Apr 2018
Services best delivered locally, says study
Commissioning local community organisations to deliver services boosts local economies, says a study. The pilot study found that together 10 local community organisations enabled approximately 1,400 jobs and £120m of gross value...
Read more
08 Apr 2018
£2m fund to restore rural buildings
A new grant scheme is offering funding for land managers to restore their historic farm buildings. Launched by Defra, Natural England and Historic England, the Historic Building Restoration Grant is...
Read more
04 Apr 2018
Revealed: Best rural places to live in 2018
The UK places with the best rural quality of life are revealed in the latest annual survey by British bank Halifax. Rutland in the East Midlands has been ranked the...
Read more
04 Apr 2018
100% business rates relief for broadband
A new scheme is to exempt new broadband fibre connections from business rates – benefiting rural communities, says the government. The Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2018 paves the way for full-fibre...
Read more
03 Apr 2018
Chance to have your say on rural life
The Prince’s Countryside Fund is encouraging people to have their say on the challenges faced by rural residents. Fund representatives are working with Sarah Skerratt from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)...
Read more
29 Mar 2018
Councils invest £500m to save services
New figures show community councils in England are set to spend an extra £33m on local services over the next year. The additional investment will be spent on safeguarding facilities...
Read more
29 Mar 2018
Detail needed on broadband pledge
A government pledge giving everyone the right to faster broadband is welcome news – but not the end of the story, says the Rural Services Network. The government has promised...
Read more